World Definition & Meaning

American

British

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Etymology

Examples

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Synonyms world American [wurld] / wɜrld /

noun

1. the earth or globe, considered as a planet.

2. (often initial capital letter) a particular division of the earth.

   the Western world.

3. the earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period.

   the ancient world.

4. humankind; the human race; humanity.

   The world must eliminate war and poverty.

5. the public generally.

   The whole world knows it.

6. the class of persons devoted to the affairs, interests, or pursuits of this life.

   The world worships success.

7. a particular class of people, with common interests, aims, etc..

   the fashionable world.

8. any sphere, realm, or domain, with all pertaining to it.

   a child's world; the world of dreams; the insect world.

9. everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.

10. any complex whole conceived as resembling the universe.

    the world of the microcosm.

11. one of the three general groupings of physical nature.

    animal world; mineral world; vegetable world.

12. any period, state, or sphere of existence.

    this world; the world to come.

13. Often worlds. a great deal.

    That vacation was worlds of fun.

14. any indefinitely great expanse.

15. any heavenly body.

    the starry worlds.

idioms

1. come into the world, to be born.

   Her first child came into the world in June.

2. in the world,

   1. at all; ever.

      I never in the world would have believed such an obvious lie.

   2. from among all possibilities.

      Where in the world did you find that hat?

3. out of this / the world, exceptional; fine.

   The chef prepared a roast duck that was out of this world.

4. set the world on fire, to achieve great fame and success.

   He didn't seem to be the type to set the world on fire.

5. think the world of, to like or admire greatly.

   His coworkers think the world of him.

6. bring into the world,

   1. to give birth to; bear.

      My grandmother brought nine children into the world.

   2. to deliver (a baby).

      the doctor brought many children into the world.

7. on top of the world. top.

8. world without end, for all eternity; for always.

9. for all the world,

   1. for any consideration, however great.

      She wouldn't come to visit us for all the world.

   2. in every respect; precisely.

      You look for all the world like my Aunt Mary.

world 1 British / wɜːld /

noun

1. the earth as a planet, esp including its inhabitants

2. mankind; the human race

3. people generally; the public

   in the eyes of the world

4. social or public life

   to go out into the world

5. the universe or cosmos; everything in existence

6. a complex united whole regarded as resembling the universe

7. any star or planet, esp one that might be inhabited

8. (often capital) a division or section of the earth, its history, or its inhabitants

   the Western World

   the Ancient World

   the Third World

9. an area, sphere, or realm considered as a complete environment

   the animal world

10. any field of human activity or way of life or those involved in it

    the world of television

11. a period or state of existence

    the next world

12. the total circumstances and experience of an individual that make up his life, esp that part of it relating to happiness

    you have shattered my world

13. a large amount, number, or distance

    worlds apart

14. worldly or secular life, ways, or people

15. logic See possible world

16. a large group of people of various kinds

17. 1. (of a midwife, doctor, etc) to deliver (a baby)

    2. to give birth to

18. to be born

19. informal unaware of one's surroundings, esp fast asleep or very drunk

20. (used with a negative) for any inducement, however great

21. in every way; exactly

22. to publish

23. (usually used with a negative) (intensifier)

    no-one in the world can change things

24. a man or woman experienced in social or public life

25. nearing death

26. informal exultant, elated, or very happy

27. informal wonderful; excellent

28. to be exceptionally or sensationally successful

29. the benefits from two different or opposed ways of life, philosophies, etc

30. to be extremely fond of or hold in very high esteem

31. a state of mental detachment from other people

32. for ever

33. (modifier) of or concerning most or all countries; worldwide

    world politics

    a world record

34. (in combination) throughout the world

    world-famous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 World 2 British

noun

1. a man-made archipelago of 300 reclaimed islands built off the coast of Dubai in the shape of a map of the world. Area: 63 sq km (24 sq miles)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 world More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing world

• all over the place (world)
• best of both worlds
• bring into the world
• come up (in the world)
• dead to the world
• for all the world
• go out (of the world)
• in one's own world
• it's a small world
• laugh and the world laughs with you
• man of the world
• move up (in the world)
• not for all the tea in china (for the world)
• on earth (in the world), what
• on top of the world
• out of this world
• set the world on fire
• think a lot (the world) of
• third world
• with the best will in the world

Related Words

See earth.

Other Word Forms

• counterworld noun
• interworld noun

Etymology

Origin of world

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English world, weorold; cognate with Dutch wereld, German Welt, Old Norse verǫld, all from (unnattested) Germanic wer-ald- literally, “age of man” ( virile ( def. ), werewolf ( def. ), old ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Millions of people are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, in India and across the world.

From BBC

"Today, the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Around 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this strait," Macron said.

From Barron's

"Canada is actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be," he told journalists in Sydney.

From Barron's

As the conflict continues, Wall Street is focusing on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which 20% of the world’s oil flows.

From Barron's

A group of Rob Reiner’s closest friends released a statement remembering him as a ‘passionate, brave citizen’ who worked to make the world a better place.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• area
• business
• field
• life
• province
• realm
• system

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.