world
1 of 2noun
ˈwər(-ə)ld 
1
a
: the earthly state of human existence
b
: life after death —used with a qualifier
the next world
2
: the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it
3
: individual course of life : career
4
: the inhabitants of the earth : the human race
5
a
: the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come
b
: secular affairs
6
: the system of created things : universe
7
a
: a division or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished by living together at the same place or at the same time
the medieval world
b
: a distinctive class of persons or their sphere of interest or activity
the academic world
the digital world
8
: human society
withdraw from the world
9
: a part or section of the earth that is a separate independent unit
10
: the sphere or scene of one's life and action
living in your own little world
11
: an indefinite multitude or a great quantity or distance
makes a world of difference
a world away
12
: the whole body of living persons : public
announced their discovery to the world
13
: kingdom sense 4
the animal world
14
: a celestial body (such as a planet)
world
2 of 2adjective
1
: of or relating to the world
a world championship
2
a
: extending or found throughout the world : worldwide
brought about world peace
b
: involving or applying to part of or the whole world
a world tour
a world state
c
: internationally recognized : renowned, distinguished
a world authority on gemstones
Synonyms
Noun
- folks
- humanity
- humankind
- people
- public
- species
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the countries of the world He is famous throughout the world. They sailed around the world. It can be found anywhere in the world. The product is shipped halfway around the world. The problem occurs in many parts of the world. The island was cut off from the rest of the world. They want to see the world. the Eastern and Western worlds people living in the English-speaking world Adjective She broke the world record. They won the world championship. a world authority on gemstones See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Oscar Holland, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023 The design team was tasked with visualizing a world gone very dark while reinforcing truth wherever it can be found. —Variety Staff, Variety, 17 Feb. 2023 In the face of a rapidly changing world, the preservation of objects, organisms and phenomena takes on a new urgence. —Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023 Each is a unique landscape—each a world unto itself. —Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2023 The canopy of cypress trees creates a shaded world where Spanish moss, ferns and orchids thrive. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023 Great exercises include world’s greatest stretch, thread the needle, and pull-aparts. —Jenny Mccoy, SELF, 15 Feb. 2023 The night before the session, Rhett read a book that raised the possibility of meeting an angel who presents in the physical world as a human being. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2023 Some of the reasons include religion, extensive training in science and living in a post-9/11 world. —Zohreen Shah, ABC News, 15 Feb. 2023 Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023 At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago. —Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022 Most Africans who adhere non-world religions are shifting to Islam or Christianity. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2010 Drama ensues, and so does a multi-year, cross-world tale of loving your family. —Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2022 The new numbers are just the latest evidence that this is the world American workers are living in right now. —New York Times, 3 Dec. 2021 At one point, Borgov offers Beth a draw, which would leave her co-world champion. —Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 26 Oct. 2020 The former two-time United States Olympian and multi-world record holder was going to make sure his student-athletes stayed safe while addressing their physical and mental needs. —Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Sep. 2020 The goal was to turn mainland Chinese citizens and world public opinion against the movement. —Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2020 See More
Noun
The items in the collection also spoke to his deep network of relationships with some of the fashion world's biggest names. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023 The design team was tasked with visualizing a world gone very dark while reinforcing truth wherever it can be found. —Variety Staff, Variety, 17 Feb. 2023 In the face of a rapidly changing world, the preservation of objects, organisms and phenomena takes on a new urgence. —Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023 Each is a unique landscape—each a world unto itself. —Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2023 The canopy of cypress trees creates a shaded world where Spanish moss, ferns and orchids thrive. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023 Great exercises include world’s greatest stretch, thread the needle, and pull-aparts. —Jenny Mccoy, SELF, 15 Feb. 2023 The night before the session, Rhett read a book that raised the possibility of meeting an angel who presents in the physical world as a human being. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2023 Some of the reasons include religion, extensive training in science and living in a post-9/11 world. —Zohreen Shah, ABC News, 15 Feb. 2023 Adjective
Some anti-world entity swooped in, lifting me from one body and dropping me into another. —Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023 At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago. —Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022 Most Africans who adhere non-world religions are shifting to Islam or Christianity. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2010 Drama ensues, and so does a multi-year, cross-world tale of loving your family. —Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2022 The new numbers are just the latest evidence that this is the world American workers are living in right now. —New York Times, 3 Dec. 2021 At one point, Borgov offers Beth a draw, which would leave her co-world champion. —Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 26 Oct. 2020 The former two-time United States Olympian and multi-world record holder was going to make sure his student-athletes stayed safe while addressing their physical and mental needs. —Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Sep. 2020 The goal was to turn mainland Chinese citizens and world public opinion against the movement. —Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English woruld human existence, this world, age (akin to Old High German weralt age, world); akin to Old English wer man, eald old — more at virile, old
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing world
Kids Definition
world
nounˈwər(-ə)ld
1
: the earth and all the people and things upon it
2
: people in general : humanity
3
: the system of created things : universe
4
: the concerns of the earth and human affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come
5
: human society
withdraw from the world
6
: a class of persons sharing a common interest or activity
the musical world
7
: a part or section of the earth and the people who live in it
8
: the scene of one's life and action
living in your own little world
9
: a great number or amount
a world of troubles
10
: a heavenly body (as a planet) especially if lived upon
out of this world
phrase
as in great
of the very best kind That flourless chocolate torte was out of this world. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- great
- excellent
- fine
- awesome
- wonderful
- lovely
- fabulous
- terrific
- fantastic
- beautiful
- superb
- hot
- stellar
- good
- marvelous
- prime
- number one
- quality
- too much
- classic
- top
- par excellence
- neat
- heavenly
- cool
- numero uno
- grand
- marvellous
- superior
- divine
- famous
- all right
- mean
- capital
- topping
- choice
- splendid
- fab
- noble
- exceptional
- immense
- slick
- sterling
- dynamite
- banner
- sensational
- bumper
- unsurpassed
- frontline
- groovy
- down
- dandy
- brave
- superlative
- prize
- keen
- peachy keen
- peachy
- decent
- bully
- gangbusters
- primo
- nifty
- righteous
- dope
- wizard
- radical
- swell
- corking
- bonny
- crackerjack
- boffo
- supernal
- cracking
- topflight
- phat
- better
- adequate
- boss
- special
- hype
- acceptable
- gangbuster
- brag
- fantabulous
- prizewinning
- A-OK
- satisfactory
- A1
- No. 1
- high-class
- first-class
- jim-dandy
- tip-top
- gilt-edge
- first-rate
- top-notch
- bonnie
- out-of-sight
- blue-chip
- five-star
- first-string
- traditional
- top-of-the-line
- blue-ribbon
- top-shelf
- bang-up
- gilt-edged
- classical
- tolerable
- four-star
- passable
- premium
- standard
- gone
- fancy
- okay
- select
- OK
- superfine
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- poor
- awful
- lousy
- pathetic
- wretched
- bad
- atrocious
- rotten
- inferior
- vile
- unsatisfactory
- execrable
- substandard
- middling
- mediocre
- low-grade
- second-class
- second-rate