world
world — noun
1. the planet Earth, including every country, ocean, mountain, and city on it, as w
the planet Earth, including every country, ocean, mountain, and city on it, as well as all the people who live there.
Mount Fuji is one of the most famous sights in the world.
collocation: in the world
People from all over the world visited the art exhibition in Paris.
collocation: all over the world
The airplane flew halfway around the world before landing in Dubai.
collocation: around the world
The world's population passed eight billion people in 2023.
Rin and her classmates studied maps of every continent in the world.
- all over the world
- around the world
- in the world
- the world's [noun]
- across the world
Usage Note
Often used with 'the' as a singular noun referring to the one planet everyone lives on. No article is used in compounds such as 'world peace' or 'world history'.
Common Mistakes
2. a particular area of activity, interest, or work; a specific group of people, co
a particular area of activity, interest, or work; a specific group of people, countries, animals, or things that share a common feature.
The fashion world changes its trends faster than any other industry.
pattern: the [domain] world
In the world of professional sports, athletes train for years to compete.
pattern: the world of [domain]
The natural world holds millions of species that scientists have not yet identified.
collocation: the natural world
Adaeze works in the publishing world and edits books for a large company.
The business world has changed a lot since remote work became common.
- the [adj] world
- the world of [noun]
- in the [domain] world
Usage Note
Follows the pattern 'the [adjective] world' (the natural world, the Arab world) or 'the world of [noun]' (the world of fashion, the world of science). When referring to a geographical region, the adjective is often a proper noun: 'the English-speaking world', 'the developing world'.
Common Mistakes
3. any large object in space — for instance, a planet, moon, or star — that could p
any large object in space — for instance, a planet, moon, or star — that could possibly support or host life.
Astronomers believe other worlds may orbit stars in distant solar systems.
pattern: other worlds / distant worlds
The science fiction novel describes a frozen world where two suns rise each morning.
Cyrus read about a newly discovered world orbiting a star far beyond our galaxy.
Space telescopes allow us to study worlds that are billions of kilometres from Earth.
A rover sent back images of a dusty red world with mountains taller than Earth's.
collocation: alien world / foreign world
- other worlds
- distant worlds
- alien world
- new world
- planet
the standard scientific term; less literary than 'world'
- celestial body
formal technical term covering planets, stars, moons, asteroids
- globe
can refer to a round planet; poetic or visual in tone
Usage Note
Common in science fiction and space science. In everyday conversation, 'planet' is far more frequent than 'world' for this meaning.
4. the particular environment, relationships, activities, and experiences that make
the particular environment, relationships, activities, and experiences that make up a single person's life.
After losing her job, Talia felt as though her whole world had collapsed.
collocation: [possessive] whole world
Hiro's world revolves around his family and his small bookstore in Kyoto.
pattern: [possessive] world revolves around
When Aarav started university, he entered a whole new world of ideas and people.
The virtual reality game let Brandon escape into a fantasy world of his own making.
Moving to a new country opened up a world of unfamiliar customs for Élise.
- [possessive] world
- whole world
- new world
- world of [something]
- life
broader; 'world' adds a sense of contained environment
- environment
more neutral and factual; less emotional
- universe
even broader; suggests everything someone knows or experiences
Usage Note
Frequently takes a possessive determiner (my world, her world, their world). The phrase 'a world of [something]' is common when describing new experiences opened up to someone.
Common Mistakes
5. ordinary human existence on earth, with its material concerns and physical pleas
ordinary human existence on earth, with its material concerns and physical pleasures, especially when contrasted with spiritual or religious life.
The monks gave up all worldly possessions to devote themselves entirely to prayer.
collocation: worldly possessions (derived adjective)
Many religious teachings urge followers to look beyond this world toward the life to come.
Father Okafor told the congregation their true home is in heaven, not in this world.
pattern: this world (vs. the next)
In her final years Beatrix focused more on spiritual growth than worldly concerns.
The saint turned away from the world to live in complete solitude.
- this world
- the world
- worldly [noun]
- turn away from the world
- earth
shorter form used in phrases like 'on earth'; broader
- mortal life
emphasises the temporary nature of human existence
- the secular world
formal; emphasises non-religious aspects
- heaven
the spiritual afterlife in many religions
- the afterlife
general term for existence after death
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 (PERSONAL SPHERE): sense 5 contrasts earthly/material life with spiritual or afterlife, while sense 4 describes a person's everyday experiences without that contrast. This sense is most common in religious, philosophical, or literary contexts.
To be extremely loved and very important to someone.
Her daughter is all the world to her.
Is his dog all the world to him?
be lost to the world
idiomTo be completely focused on something and unaware of your surroundings.
When he paints, he is lost to the world.
Was she lost to the world while reading that book?
The advantages of two different situations that you can enjoy at the same time.
Working from home gives me the best of both worlds.
In the best of all possible worlds, we would have peace and prosperity.
be worlds apart
idiomTo be extremely different in opinions or attitudes.
The two politicians are worlds apart on tax policy.
Are the twins worlds apart in their taste in music?
(a) brave new world
idiomA situation or society that promises improvement but often brings new problems.
The brave new world of social media has privacy concerns.
Is the brave new world of AI truly beneficial for everyone?
To become less or more important or successful in society.
After losing his job, he came down in the world.
She went up in the world after her promotion.
come into the world
idiomTo be born.
The baby came into the world at midnight.
Did the puppy come into the world healthy?
dead to the world
idiomIn a very deep sleep.
After the long hike, he was dead to the world.
Was she dead to the world when you called?
To make someone feel much better or to improve something greatly.
A vacation will do you the world of good.
Did the medicine do her the world of good?
Exactly as if something were true, or exactly like someone or something.
He acted for all the world as if he owned the place.
She looked for all the world like a movie star.
To be very successful and admired by many people.
After winning the award, she had the world at her feet.
Does he have the world at his feet after that deal?
Used to emphasize a question and show surprise or annoyance.
How in the world did you find that?
Why in the world would she say that?
Used to describe what you would like to happen, even though it is unlikely.
In an ideal world, everyone would have access to education.
In a perfect world, there would be no war.
in the world
idiomUsed to emphasize what you are saying.
There is nothing in the world I want more.
You have all the time in the world.
To be so focused on your own thoughts that you ignore what is happening around you.
She was in a world of her own during the meeting.
Is he always in a world of his own when studying?
it’s a small world
idiomUsed to express surprise when you meet someone you know in an unexpected place or find a mutual connection.
It's a small world; we both know the same person.
Isn't it a small world that we met here?
A person with a lot of life experience who is not easily shocked.
My grandfather is a man of the world.
Is she a woman of the world after traveling so much?
Not the worst thing that could happen; not a disaster.
Failing one test is not the end of the world.
Is losing this job the end of the world?
Used to say that you would never do something under any circumstances.
I would not hurt her for the world.
Would you lie for all the world?
the… of this world
idiomUsed to refer to people of a particular type, often successful or famous.
The Einsteins of this world are rare.
Are the artists of this world undervalued?
on top of the world
idiomVery happy or proud.
After winning the race, she felt on top of the world.
Does he feel on top of the world after his promotion?
out of this world
idiomExtremely good or beautiful.
The chocolate cake was out of this world.
Was the sunset out of this world?
To make promises that are impossible to keep.
Politicians often promise the world before elections.
Did he promise her the moon?
see the world
idiomTo travel widely and gain broad experience.
She wants to see the world before settling down.
Did he see the world during his gap year?
To be very successful and admired.
Her new invention will set the world on fire.
Will his music set the world on fire?
To discuss how to make the world a better place.
They stayed up late setting the world to rights.
Did they put the world to rights over coffee?
A strange, mysterious, or secret state, often on the border between two things.
He lived in a twilight world of spies and secrets.
Is the twilight zone between sleep and waking confusing?
To relax and observe people in a public place.
She sat on a bench watching the world go by.
Do you enjoy watching the world go by at a cafe?
the way of the world
idiomThe typical behavior of people or the usual course of events that cannot be changed.
The rich often make the rules; that's the way of the world.
Is it the way of the world that the strong survive?
Used to express shock or disapproval about changes in behavior or attitudes.
What is the world coming to when children are so rude?
Is this what the world is coming to?
Used to say that you cannot do something even though you really want to.
With the best will in the world, I cannot finish this today.
Can you, with the best will in the world, forgive him?
Everyone; a very large number of people.
All the world and his wife were at the festival.
Was the world and his wife at the concert?
Very different from something.
His new house is a world away from his old apartment.
Is this city a world away from the countryside?
You have many opportunities and can achieve anything.
With your talent, the world is your oyster.
Is the world your oyster after graduation?
A very big difference between two things.
There is a world of difference between love and friendship.
Is there a world of difference between these two paintings?
Everywhere in the world.
People celebrate New Year the world over.
Are traditions the same the world over?
A situation that combines all the possible disadvantages.
This job gives me the worst of all worlds: low pay and long hours.
Is this the worst of all possible worlds for investors?
world — adjective
1. relating to the entire planet, all human society, or international affairs rathe
relating to the entire planet, all human society, or international affairs rather than to a single country or local area.
World peace is a goal that every nation claims to support.
collocation: world peace
The United Nations deals with major world issues such as climate change and poverty.
collocation: world issues
Paul took a course in world history that covered events from every continent.
World leaders gathered in Geneva to discuss a new climate agreement.
collocation: world leaders
The economist wrote a book about world trade and its effect on poor countries.
- world peace
- world history
- world leaders
- world issues
- world trade
- global
can be used both before and after nouns; more common in scientific contexts
- international
focuses on relations between countries rather than the whole planet
Usage Note
Always used before a noun (attributive). Cannot follow a linking verb: 'This problem is world' is incorrect. Use 'global' or 'worldwide' after a linking verb instead.
Common Mistakes
2. existing, happening, or recognised in every part of the world; extending across
existing, happening, or recognised in every part of the world; extending across the entire planet.
The singer became a world celebrity after her album sold ten million copies.
collocation: world celebrity
Deng's coffee company built a world distribution network across forty countries.
The disease spread at world scale within just a few months of the outbreak.
Mayumi's research achieved world recognition in the field of marine biology.
collocation: world recognition
The film festival draws world attention every year with its premieres and red-carpet events.
- world celebrity
- world recognition
- world attention
- world scale
- world fame
- localised
limited to a small area
Usage Note
This sense combines with nouns to mean that something is present or recognised everywhere. It is especially common in compounds such as world-famous, world-renowned, and world-class, though those are increasingly written as hyphenated compounds.
3. involving, affecting, or applying to the whole planet or all of human society; n
involving, affecting, or applying to the whole planet or all of human society; not limited to one region.
The Second World War changed the political landscape of every inhabited continent.
collocation: World War [number]
World events such as the Olympic Games bring people from many nations together.
Climate change is a world problem that no single government can solve by itself.
collocation: world problem
The pandemic became a world crisis that affected hospitals, schools, and businesses everywhere.
Mauricio presented a world outlook on energy policy at the international summit.
- world war
- world crisis
- world problem
- world events
- world economy
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (WORLDWIDE): sense 2 describes something that exists or is recognised everywhere geographically, whereas sense 3 describes something whose scope or impact extends to the entire planet — an event, problem, or policy that affects everyone.
4. recognised internationally as one of the best or most important in a particular
recognised internationally as one of the best or most important in a particular field.
Mauricio is a world authority on climate science and advises several governments.
collocation: world authority
The museum displays world treasures from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia.
Chef Talia earned a world reputation for her innovative plant-based tasting menu.
collocation: world reputation
The university recruited a world expert in artificial intelligence from South Korea.
Beatrix performed at a world venue that hosts only the finest classical musicians.
- world authority
- world expert
- world reputation
- world champion
- world record
- world-class
the full compound; more common and explicit in modern usage
- world-renowned
emphasises fame rather than quality
- top
informal; less precise
- unknown
not recognised internationally
- second-rate
of lower quality
Usage Note
Often interchangeable with 'world-class', though 'world' alone is more compressed and used in fixed collocations. The full compound 'world-class' is more common in modern English for this meaning.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words can refer to the same physical object, but they differ in emphasis and context. 'Earth' is the primary scientific and astronomical name for our planet — you would say 'the Earth orbits the sun' or 'life on Earth', focusing on the planet as a physical body. 'World' adds the human dimension: it refers to the Earth together with its people, societies, and cultures. When you say 'around the world' or 'world peace', the focus is on human life across the planet. 'Globe' highlights the spherical shape of the Earth and is often used in visual or formal contexts ('she travelled across the globe', 'a globe of the world'). 'Planet' is the broadest astronomical term, used when classifying Earth among other celestial bodies. In everyday speech, 'world' is far more common than 'globe' or 'planet' for referring to human society, while 'Earth' is preferred in scientific writing. A good rule: if you mean the physical rock in space, use 'Earth'; if you mean people and places across the planet, use 'world'.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'world' comes from Old English 'weorold', which originally meant 'the age of man' or 'human life on earth'. It was formed by combining 'wer' (meaning 'man' or 'person', related to Latin 'vir') with 'ald' (meaning 'age' or 'old', related to 'old'). The sense gradually broadened from 'the lifetime of human beings' to 'the earth where humans live' and finally to 'the entire planet with everything on it'. Similar compounds exist in other Germanic languages: German 'Welt', Dutch 'wereld', and Old Norse 'verǫld'.