More than anything, I'd like to drive around the world.
The satellite enables us to calculate their precise location anywhere in the world.
Synonyms: earth, planet, globe, earthly sphere More Synonyms of world
2. singular noun [NOUN noun]
Theworld refers to all the people who live on this planet, and our societies, institutions, and ways of life.
The world was, and remains, shocked.
He wants to show the world that anyone can learn to be an ambassador.
...his personal contribution to world history.
...inflationary pressures in the world economy.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use world to describe someone or something that is one of the most important or significant of its kind on earth.
He was regarded as a leading world statesman.
China has once again emerged as a world power.
He was one of Newcastle's most distinguished medical men, a world authority on heart-diseases.
4. singular noun
You can use world in expressions such as the Arab world, the western world, and the ancient world to refer to a particular group of countries or a particular period in history.
Athens had strong ties to the Arab world.
...the developing world.
Dogs were also associated with healing in the ancient world.
5. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Someone's world is the life they lead, the people they have contact with, and the things they experience.
His world seemed so different from mine.
I lost my job and it was like my world collapsed.
I tried to understand the adult world and could not.
6. singular noun
You can use world to refer to a particular field of activity, and the people involved in it.
The publishing world had certainly never seen an event quite like this.
...the latest news from the world of finance.
[Also + of]
Synonyms: sphere, system, area, field More Synonyms of world
7. countable noun [with supplement, oft NOUNof noun]
You can use world to refer to a place or way of life by describing its strongest features.
...a golf course set in a hidden world of parkland, forest and lakes.
The patient must re-enter a world full of problems and stresses.
8. singular noun [with supplement]
You can use world in expressions such as this world, the next world, and the world to come to refer to the state of being alive or a state of existence after death.
Good fortune will follow you, both in this world and the next.
Synonyms: life, nature, existence, creation More Synonyms of world
9. singular noun
You can use world to refer to a particular group of living things, for example the animal world, the plant world, and the insect world.
10. countable noun
A world is a planet.
He looked like something from another world.
Man was drawing closer to the stars, opening new worlds.
11. See also brave new world, New World, real world, Third World
12.
See worlds apart
13.
See the best of both worlds
14.
See bring a child into the world
15.
See a world of difference
16.
See for the world
17.
See do sb/sth a world of good/do sb/sth the world of good
18.
See in the world
19.
See what in the world/who in the world/where in the world
20.
See in an ideal/a perfect world
21.
See the world owes them a living
22.
See man of the world
23.
See out of this world
24.
See the outside world
25.
See the world over
26.
See in a world of one's own
27.
See to think the world of someone
28.
See go/come up/down in the world
29. not be the end of the world
30. the world is your oyster
31. on top of the world
More Synonyms of world
world in British English
(wɜːld)
noun
1.
the earth as a planet, esp including its inhabitants
2.
humankind; 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 developing 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 or her 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 possible world
16. all the world and his wife
17. bring into the world
18. come into the world
19. dead to the world
20. for the world
21. for all the world
22. give to the world
23. in the world
24. man of the world
25. not long for this world
26. on top of the world
27. out of this world
28. set the world on fire
29. the best of both worlds
30. think the world of
31. world of one's own
32. world without end
33. (modifier)
of or concerning most or all countries; worldwide
world politics
a world record
34. (in combination)
throughout the world
world-famous
Word origin
Old English w(e)orold, from wer man + ald age, life; related to Old Frisian warld, wrald, Old Norse verold, Old High German wealt (German Welt)
World in British English
noun
The World
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)
world in American English
(wɜrld)
noun
1.
a.
the planet earth
b.
the whole universe
c.
any heavenly body thought of hypothetically as inhabited
worlds in space
2.
the earth and its inhabitants
3.
a.
the human race; mankind
b.
people generally; the public
a discovery that startled the world
4.
a. [alsoW-]
some part of the earth
the Old World
b.
some period of history, its society, etc.
the ancient world
c.
any sphere or domain
the animal world
d.
any sphere of human activity
the world of music
e.
any sphere or state of existence
the world of tomorrow
5.
individual experience, outlook, etc.
a man whose world is narrow
6.
a.
secular or social life and interests, as distinguished from the religious or spiritual
b.
people primarily concerned with secular affairs and pursuits
7. [often pl.]
a large amount; great deal
the rest did him a world (or worlds) of good
8.
a star or planet
SIMILAR WORDS: earth
Idioms:
bring into the world
come into the world
for all the world
in the world
on top of the world
out of this world
world without end
Word origin
ME < OE werold, world, humanity, long time, akin to OHG weralt < early WGmc comp. < *wera-, man (see werewolf) + *alth-, an age, mankind (for IE base see old): basic sense “the age of man”
More idioms containing
world
it's not the end of the world
four corners of the world
at odds with the world
carry the weight of the world on your shoulders
come down in the world
come up in the world
dead to the world
it's a small world
not long for this world
not set the world on fire
on top of the world
out of this world
think the world of someone
the world is your oyster
COBUILD Collocations
world
digital world
modern world
natural world
virtual world
Examples of 'world' in a sentence
world
That appetite might well grow if the world economy falters again and capitalism gets the blame.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We will use their world ranking points from the week of the game in question.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What does the world look like from up there?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Social media has also changed the balance of power in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The people of the world have become unpredictable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is the safest hotel and golf course in the world.
The Sun (2016)
These are one of the world's universal birds.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Exhibitions, workshops and screenings will be led and judged by the great and the good in the world of photography.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Today the world is once again under attack from infectious diseases.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So this book charts a world in a life and a life in the world.
Linda Colley The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History (2007)
You know that the world is good.
Christianity Today (2000)
That is what many in the rich world would like.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We have met some of the most intelligent and able people in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Your new partner has a job you respect in the medical world.
The Sun (2008)
It was a healthy reminder to politicians that in a free financial world their powers are limited.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
This simple observation unlocked the ancient world.
Bruce Feiler WALKING THE BIBLE (2001)
Why in the world have you come?
Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)
There are other issues in the world apart from tax cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Just two days left me feeling ready to face the world again.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Like you scan the world in real life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It will do them the world of good.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And onwards into a toy world few adults will comprehend.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It serves as a prelude to the world tour the group are set to embark upon next month.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
At least a dozen banking groups across the world are thought to be caught up in the inquiry.
The Sun (2012)
We do indeed find the book and reading it changes our view of the world and the course of our lives.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
The race is one of the world's toughest endurance challenges.
The Sun (2012)
Quotations
The world began without man, and it will end without himClaude Lévi-StraussTristes Tropiques
All the world's a stageWilliam ShakespeareAs You Like It
The world's mine oysterWilliam ShakespeareThe Merry Wives of Windsor
The world is everything that is the caseLudwig WittgensteinTractatus Logico-Philosophicus
In other languages
world
British English: world /wɜːld/ NOUN
The world is the planet that we live on.
It's a beautiful part of the world.
American English: world
Arabic: عَالَم
Brazilian Portuguese: mundo
Chinese: 世界
Croatian: svijet
Czech: svět
Danish: verden
Dutch: wereld
European Spanish: mundo
Finnish: maailma
French: monde
German: Welt
Greek: κόσμος
Italian: mondo
Japanese: 世界
Korean: 세계
Norwegian: verden
Polish: świat
European Portuguese: mundo
Romanian: pământ
Russian: мир
Latin American Spanish: mundo
Swedish: värld
Thai: โลก
Turkish: dünya
Ukrainian: світ
Vietnamese: thế giới
Chinese translation of 'world'
world
(wəːld)
n
(= earth)
the world世界 (shìjiè)
⇒ in many parts of the world在世界的许多地方 (zài shìjiè de xǔduō dìfang)
(c) (= planet) 星球 (xīngqiú)
(c) (= everyday existence) 生活 (shēnghuó)
⇒ It was as if my world had collapsed.这就好像我的生活已经崩溃了。 (Zhè jiù hǎoxiàng wǒ de shēnghuó yǐjīng bēngkuì le.)
(c) (= sphere) 界 (jiè)
⇒ The world of football is very competitive.足球界竞争很激烈。 (Zúqiújiè jìngzhēng hěn jīliè.)
cpd
[champion, record, power, authority]世界 (shìjiè)
[tour]环(環)球 (huánqiú)
all over the world全世界 (quán shìjiè)
to think the world of sb非常看重某人 (fēicháng kànzhòng mǒurén)
what in the world is he doing?他究竟在做什么(麼)？ (tā jiūjìng zài zuò shénme?)
it'll do you a or the world of good (inf) 这(這)会(會)对(對)你大有好处(處) (zhè huì duì nǐ dà yǒu hǎochù)
out of this world (inf) 无(無)与(與)伦(倫)比的 (wú yǔ lún bǐ de)
World War One/Two第一次/第二次世界大战(戰) (dì yī cì/dì èr cì shìjiè dàzhàn)
All related terms of 'world'
the world
世界 shìjiè ⇒ in many parts of the world → 在世界的许多地方 zài shìjiè de xǔduō dìfang
World Cup
▶ the World Cup 世界杯(盃)足球赛(賽) Shìjièbēi Zúqiúsài
Miss World
( in beauty contests ) 世界小姐 Shìjiè xiǎojiě
Third World
▶ the Third World 第三世界 Dì Sān Shìjiè
world cruise
环(環)球游(遊)船旅行 huánqiú yóuchuán lǚxíng
a world power
世界大国(國) shìjiè dàguó
the World Cup
世界杯(盃)足球赛(賽) Shìjièbēi Zúqiúsài
the Third World
第三世界 Dì Sān Shìjiè
World-Wide Web
▶ the World-Wide Web 万(萬)维(維)网(網) Wànwéiwǎng
Second World War
▶ the Second World War 第二次世界大战(戰) Dì Èr Cì Shìjiè Dàzhàn
( interrogative subject, object, object of prep ) 谁(誰) shuí
1 (noun)
Definition
the earth as a planet
It's a beautiful part of the world.
Synonyms
earth
The space shuttle returned safely to earth today.
planet
globe
delicacies from every corner of the globe
earthly sphere
2 (noun)
Definition
the human race
The world was shocked by this heinous crime.
Synonyms
humankind
one of the age-old practices of humankind
mankind
the evolution of mankind
man
Anxiety is modern man's natural state.
men
everyone
the public
everybody
humanity
They face charges of committing crimes against humanity.
human race
the race of man
3 (noun)
Definition
an area, sphere, or realm considered as a complete environment
The publishing world had never seen an event quite like this.
Synonyms
sphere
the sphere of international politics
system
area
She was involved in every area of the project.
field
They are both experts in their field.
environment
The children were brought up in completely different environments.
province
Opera remained largely the province of the aristocracy.
kingdom
nature study trips to the kingdom of the polar bear
realm
the realm of politics
domain
the great experimenters in the domain of art
4 (noun)
Be happy, in this world and the next!
Synonyms
life
He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement.
nature
man's ancient sense of kinship with nature
existence
pondering the mysteries of existence
creation
the origin of all creation
universe
Einstein's equations showed the Universe to be expanding.
cosmos
a religion which offers a sense of the place of humanity in the cosmos
5 (noun)
Definition
any planet or moon, esp. one that might be inhabited
conditions which would support life on other worlds
Synonyms
planet
star
The nights were pure with cold air and lit with stars.
orb
heavenly body
6 (noun)
Definition
a particular group of countries or period of history, or its inhabitants
What was life like for the ordinary man in the medieval world?
Synonyms
period
the Victorian period
times
days
age
the age of steam and steel
era
a custom pre-dating the Christian era
epoch
the beginning of a major epoch in world history
phrase
See a world of
idioms
See for all the world
See on top of the world
See out of this world
See think the world of someone
Quotations
The world began without man, and it will end without him [Claude Lévi-Strauss – Tristes Tropiques]All the world's a stage [William Shakespeare – As You Like It]The world's mine oyster [William Shakespeare – The Merry Wives of Windsor]The world is everything that is the case [Ludwig Wittgenstein – Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of age
Definition
a period of history marked by some feature
the age of steam and steel
Synonyms
time,
day(s),
period,
generation,
era,
epoch
in the sense of area
Definition
a subject field
She was involved in every area of the project.
Synonyms
realm,
part,
department (informal),
field,
province,
arena,
sphere,
domain
in the sense of cosmos
Definition
the universe considered as an ordered system
a religion which offers a sense of the place of humanity in the cosmos
Synonyms
universe,
world,
creation,
macrocosm
Synonyms of 'world'
world
Explore 'world' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of creation
Definition
the universe as thus brought into being by God
the origin of all creation
Synonyms
universe,
world,
life,
nature,
cosmos,
natural world,
living world,
all living things
in the sense of domain
Definition
a particular area of activity or interest
the great experimenters in the domain of art
Synonyms
area,
world,
field,
department (informal),
sector,
discipline,
sphere,
realm,
speciality
in the sense of environment
Definition
the surroundings in which a person, animal, or plant lives
The children were brought up in completely different environments.
Synonyms
surroundings,
setting,
conditions,
situation,
medium,
scene (informal),
circumstances,
territory,
background,
atmosphere,
context,
habitat,
domain,
milieu,
locale
in the sense of epoch
Definition
a long period of time marked by some predominant characteristic
the beginning of a major epoch in world history
Synonyms
era,
time,
age,
period,
date,
aeon
in the sense of era
Definition
an extended period of time measured from a fixed point
a custom pre-dating the Christian era
Synonyms
age,
time,
period,
stage,
date,
generation,
cycle,
epoch,
aeon,
day or days
in the sense of existence
Definition
everything that exists
pondering the mysteries of existence
Synonyms
creation,
life,
the world,
reality,
the human condition,
this mortal coil
in the sense of field
Definition
an area of human activity or knowledge
They are both experts in their field.
Synonyms
speciality,
line,
area,
department (informal),
environment,
territory,
discipline,
province,
pale,
confines,
sphere,
domain,
specialty,
sphere of influence,
purview,
metier,
sphere of activity,
bailiwick,
sphere of interest,
sphere of study
in the sense of globe
Definition
the earth
delicacies from every corner of the globe
Synonyms
planet,
world,
round,
ball,
earth,
sphere,
orb
in the sense of humanity
Definition
the human race
They face charges of committing crimes against humanity.
Synonyms
the human race,
humankind,
mankind,
man,
men,
men and women,
people,
mortals,
Homo sapiens
in the sense of kingdom
Definition
a place or area considered to be under the total power and control of a person, organization, or thing
nature study trips to the kingdom of the polar bear
Synonyms
domain,
territory,
province,
realm,
area,
department (informal),
field,
zone,
arena,
sphere
Additional synonyms
in the sense of man
Definition
human beings collectively
Anxiety is modern man's natural state.
Synonyms
humankind,
humanity,
mankind,
people,
mortals,
human race,
Homo sapiens
in the sense of mankind
Definition
human beings collectively
the evolution of mankind
Synonyms
people,
man,
humanity,
human race,
humankind,
Homo sapiens
in the sense of nature
Definition
the whole system of the existence, forces, and events of the physical world that are not controlled by human beings
man's ancient sense of kinship with nature
Synonyms
creation,
world,
earth,
environment,
universe,
cosmos,
natural world,
Mother Nature,
natural forces
in the sense of province
Definition
an area of learning, activity, etc.
Opera remained largely the province of the aristocracy.
Synonyms
area,
business,
concern,
responsibility,
part,
line,
charge,
role,
post,
department (informal),
field,
duty,
function,
employment,
capacity,
orbit,
sphere,
turf (slang),
pigeon (British, informal)
in the sense of realm
Definition
a field of interest or study
the realm of politics
Synonyms
field,
world,
area,
province,
sphere,
department (informal),
region,
branch,
territory,
zone,
patch,
orbit,
turf (slang)
in the sense of star
Definition
a hot gaseous mass, such as the sun, that radiates energy as heat and light, or in some cases as radio waves and X-rays
The nights were pure with cold air and lit with stars.
Synonyms
heavenly body,
sun,
celestial body
in the sense of universe
Definition
the whole of all existing matter, energy, and space
Einstein's equations showed the Universe to be expanding.