world
the earth or globe, considered as a planet.
(often initial capital letter) a particular division of the earth: the Western world.
the earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period: the ancient world.
humankind; the human race; humanity: The world must eliminate war and poverty.
the public generally: The whole world knows it.
the class of persons devoted to the affairs, interests, or pursuits of this life: The world worships success.
a particular class of people, with common interests, aims, etc.: the fashionable world.
any sphere, realm, or domain, with all pertaining to it: a child's world; the world of dreams; the insect world.
everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.
any complex whole conceived as resembling the universe: the world of the microcosm.
one of the three general groupings of physical nature: animal world; mineral world; vegetable world.
any period, state, or sphere of existence: this world; the world to come.
Often worlds. a great deal: That vacation was worlds of fun.
any indefinitely great expanse.
any heavenly body: the starry worlds.
Idioms about world
bring into the world,
to give birth to; bear: My grandmother brought nine children into the world.
to deliver (a baby): the doctor brought many children into the world.
come into the world, to be born: Her first child came into the world in June.
for all the world,
for any consideration, however great: She wouldn't come to visit us for all the world.
in every respect; precisely: You look for all the world like my Aunt Mary.
in the world,
at all; ever: I never in the world would have believed such an obvious lie.
from among all possibilities: Where in the world did you find that hat?
on top of the world. top1 (def. 48).
out of this / the world, exceptional; fine: The chef prepared a roast duck that was out of this world.
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.
think the world of, to like or admire greatly: His coworkers think the world of him.
world without end, for all eternity; for always.
Origin of world
1synonym study For world
Other words from world
- coun·ter·world, noun
- in·ter·world, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use world in a sentence
In the 1950s, you had people like Richard Hofstadter and Arthur Schlesinger moving back and forth between the two worlds.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society | Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTLike Romeo and Juliet, we lived in different worlds — until now.
Now, just as avid an art collector, Jay Z spoke about the meeting of cultural worlds (and rapped about them) in “Picasso Baby”.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty | Tim Teeman | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThese images, videos and messages became a lifeline between two worlds and a stark record of the distance between them.
War Is About More Than Heroes, Martyrs, and Patriots | Nathan Bradley Bethea | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut I feel like films are uniquely suited towards addressing paradox, recursiveness, and worlds-within-worlds.
Christopher Nolan Uncut: On ‘Interstellar,’ Ben Affleck’s Batman, and the Future of Mankind | Marlow Stern | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It relates to ancient philosophical ideas concerning the spiritual and the material worlds.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayNext the artist changed to the string of pity, and thoughts of the worlds sorrows came over him like a pall.
The Fifth String | John Philip SousaIts discordant clashes sweep upward in one harmonious tone that blends with the music of other worlds—to complete God's orchestra.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinIf we admit that these worlds had a beginning, we are compelled to seek a cause for that beginning: that is to say, a Creator.
Gospel Philosophy | J. H. WardWhat strange abiding-places worlds lighted solely by red suns must be!
Urania | Camille Flammarion
British Dictionary definitions for world (1 of 2)
/ (wɜːld) /
the earth as a planet, esp including its inhabitants
mankind; the human race
people generally; the public: in the eyes of the world
social or public life: to go out into the world
the universe or cosmos; everything in existence
a complex united whole regarded as resembling the universe
any star or planet, esp one that might be inhabited
(often capital) a division or section of the earth, its history, or its inhabitants: the Western World; the Ancient World; the Third World
an area, sphere, or realm considered as a complete environment: the animal world
any field of human activity or way of life or those involved in it: the world of television
a period or state of existence: the next world
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
a large amount, number, or distance: worlds apart
worldly or secular life, ways, or people
logic See possible world
all the world and his wife a large group of people of various kinds
bring into the world
(of a midwife, doctor, etc) to deliver (a baby)
to give birth to
come into the world to be born
dead to the world informal unaware of one's surroundings, esp fast asleep or very drunk
for the world (used with a negative) for any inducement, however great
for all the world in every way; exactly
give to the world to publish
in the world (usually used with a negative) (intensifier): no-one in the world can change things
man of the world or woman of the world a man or woman experienced in social or public life
not long for this world nearing death
on top of the world informal exultant, elated, or very happy
informal wonderful; excellent
set the world on fire to be exceptionally or sensationally successful
the best of both worlds the benefits from two different or opposed ways of life, philosophies, etc
think the world of to be extremely fond of or hold in very high esteem
world of one's own a state of mental detachment from other people
world without end for ever
(modifier) of or concerning most or all countries; worldwide: world politics; a world record
(in combination) throughout the world: world-famous
Origin of world
1British Dictionary definitions for World (2 of 2)
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with world
In addition to the idioms beginning with world
- world is one's oyster, the
- world of good, a
also see:
- 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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