Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

world

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: world /wɜrld/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularworld
pluralworlds
Other entries for this word
  1. 1

    the world

     the planet that we live on

    We observe changes in the world's climate.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    1. a.
      [countable] any other planet

      creatures from alien worlds

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
  2. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    1. a.
      [only before noun] involving or affecting all countries

      She won medals at three previous world championships.

      the world economy

      a world war

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    2. b.
      used about ordinary society and its moral values, rather than religious or spiritual matters

      It was a choice between the world and God.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    3. c.
      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
  3. 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).

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    1. a.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
    2. b.
      [usually singular] used 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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world
  4. 4
    [singular] mainly literary the 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of world

phrases

This is the American English definition of world. View British English definition of world.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for world.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

higgledy-piggledy

mixed together in a way that is not planned, organized, or tidy

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog