world

noun

US /wɜrld/

Word Forms

singular	world
plural	worlds

1

the world
the planet that we live on
We observe changes in the world’s climate.
Synonyms and related words
The planet Earth
the world
the earth
the planet
1. 1a
  countable any other planet
  creatures from alien worlds
  Synonyms and related words
  Planets, stars and other objects in space
  antimatter
  asteroid
  the Big Dipper
2
singular society in general, in all countries
We want to guarantee our children a safer world.
all over the world/throughout the world:
The same problems are faced by children throughout the world.
the whole world:
The terrorists pose a threat to the whole world.
Synonyms and related words
Culture, society and civilization
advanced
civilisation
civilise
1. 2a
  only before nouninvolving or affecting all countries
  She won medals at three previous world championships.
  the world economy
  a world war
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to countries or regions of the world
  abroad
  American
  Anglo-American
2. 2b
  used about ordinary society and its moral values, rather than religious or spiritual matters
  It was a choice between the world and God.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not religious and not holy
  secular
  irreverent
  agnostic
3. 2c
  if someone moves up or down in the world, they move to a higher or lower social class
  move/come/go up in the world:
  She’s gone up in the world, by marrying into money.
  go/come down in the world:
  If you’re used to driving the newer models, you may feel that you’ve come down in the world.
  Synonyms and related words
  Changing social or professional status
  acquire
  ascent
  bankrupt
3
singular a particular group of countries
It is the oldest institution in the English-speaking world.
This disease is increasing dramatically in the western world (=the countries of western Europe and North America).
Synonyms and related words
Regions of the world
Africa
America
the Americas
1. 3a
  singular used about a particular society at a particular time in history
  Attitudes toward death were very different in the Egyptian world.
  This library was one of the wonders of the Ancient World.
  Synonyms and related words
  Periods of history
  age
  era
  history
2. 3b
  usually singularused about the particular type of place or situation in which someone lives or works
  the entertainment world
  the world of work
  Children feel powerful in the world of imagination that they create.
  We see the characters as equal although they are each from very different worlds.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of life
  life
  lifestyle
  existence
4
singular mainly literarythe state of being alive
bring a child into the world:
I wouldn’t want to bring a child into this cruel world.
come into the world (=be born):
Thousands of babies come into the world every day.
leave/depart this world (=die) literary:
There’s something I want to do before I depart this world.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions

phrases

be/mean the world to someone

for (all) the world

in the world

in a world of your own

have the world at your feet

a man/woman of the world

out of this world

the outside world

see the world

set the world on fire

set/put the world to rights

think the world owes you a living

what is the world coming to?

the world is your oyster

a world of difference

a/the world of good

a world/worlds apart

world ​‌‌‌

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the world

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