world
noun
the earth or globe, considered as a planet.
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world
American
[wurld]
/ wɜrld /
noun
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the earth or globe, considered as a planet.
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(often initial capital letter) a particular division of the earth.
the Western world.
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the earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period.
the ancient world.
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humankind; the human race; humanity.
The world must eliminate war and poverty.
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the public generally.
The whole world knows it.
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the class of persons devoted to the affairs, interests, or pursuits of this life.
The world worships success.
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a particular class of people, with common interests, aims, etc..
the fashionable world.
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any sphere, realm, or domain, with all pertaining to it.
a child's world; the world of dreams; the insect world.
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everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.
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any complex whole conceived as resembling the universe.
the world of the microcosm.
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one of the three general groupings of physical nature.
animal world; mineral world; vegetable world.
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any period, state, or sphere of existence.
this world; the world to come.
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Often worlds. a great deal.
That vacation was worlds of fun.
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any indefinitely great expanse.
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any heavenly body.
the starry worlds.
idioms
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come into the world, to be born.
Her first child came into the world in June.
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in the world,
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at all; ever.
I never in the world would have believed such an obvious lie.
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from among all possibilities.
Where in the world did you find that hat?
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out of this / the world, exceptional; fine.
The chef prepared a roast duck that was out of this world.
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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.
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think the world of, to like or admire greatly.
His coworkers think the world of him.
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bring into the world,
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to give birth to; bear.
My grandmother brought nine children into the world.
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to deliver (a baby).
the doctor brought many children into the world.
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on top of the world. top.
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world without end, for all eternity; for always.
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for all the world,
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for any consideration, however great.
She wouldn't come to visit us for all the world.
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in every respect; precisely.
You look for all the world like my Aunt Mary.
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world
1
British
/ wɜːld /
noun
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the earth as a planet, esp including its inhabitants
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mankind; the human race
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people generally; the public
in the eyes of the world
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social or public life
to go out into the world
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the universe or cosmos; everything in existence
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a complex united whole regarded as resembling the universe
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any star or planet, esp one that might be inhabited
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(often capital) a division or section of the earth, its history, or its inhabitants
the Western World
the Ancient World
the Third World
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an area, sphere, or realm considered as a complete environment
the animal world
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any field of human activity or way of life or those involved in it
the world of television
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a period or state of existence
the next world
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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
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a large amount, number, or distance
worlds apart
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worldly or secular life, ways, or people
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logic See possible world
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a large group of people of various kinds
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(of a midwife, doctor, etc) to deliver (a baby)
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to give birth to
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to be born
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informal unaware of one's surroundings, esp fast asleep or very drunk
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(used with a negative) for any inducement, however great
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in every way; exactly
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to publish
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(usually used with a negative) (intensifier)
no-one in the world can change things
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a man or woman experienced in social or public life
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nearing death
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informal exultant, elated, or very happy
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informal wonderful; excellent
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to be exceptionally or sensationally successful
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the benefits from two different or opposed ways of life, philosophies, etc
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to be extremely fond of or hold in very high esteem
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a state of mental detachment from other people
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for ever
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(modifier) of or concerning most or all countries; worldwide
world politics
a world record
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(in combination) throughout the world
world-famous
World
2
British
noun
world
More Idioms
Related Words
See earth.
Other Word Forms
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” ( see virile ( def. ), werewolf ( def. ), old ( def. )
Explanation
The noun world usually refers to the earth, including both the planet itself and the organisms that live on it. If you say, "I want to get out and see the world," you want to go everywhere and see everything. World can also mean someone's individual experiences — your world changed when you got a cat — or one particular region or group, like an actor famous throughout the Spanish-speaking world. While today you can use the words world and earth interchangeably, world originally meant just human experience; the Old English wer, or man, plus ald, or age, together formed weralt: the age of man.
Vocabulary lists containing world
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.
Shein, one of the largest fast-fashion retailers in the world, is set to acquire the “quiet luxury” apparel brand Everlane, media reports said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Frequently described as a guru, Chopra has served as a spiritual adviser to some of the biggest celebrities in the world, including Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
During the worst geomagnetic storm on record, in 1859, bright auroras were seen as far south as Panama -- and telegraph operators around the world were given electric shocks.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
And the yield rise isn’t just a U.S. phenomenon, as government bond yields around the world, such as on the U.K.’s gilts, Germany’s bunds and Japan’s JGBs, have run up to multi-year highs.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Others, it seemed to me, came just to see him sitting there behind his workbench as he had for sixty years and to hear in the ticking clocks a world of order and reason.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
