World

/wɜːrld/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A particular environment or setting.
He felt out of place in the world of high fashion.
The earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
They traveled around the world, experiencing different cultures.
A particular region or group of people.
The business world can be quite competitive.
The realm of human experience or activity.
In the world of science, new discoveries are made every day.
The universe or cosmos, encompassing all that exists.
Scientists study the world beyond our planet to understand the universe.

Etymology

Old English 'weorold', which combines 'wer' (man) and 'eld' (age).

Common Phrases and Expressions

the world is your oyster
You have all the opportunities you need.
world of difference
A significant difference.
end of the world
A catastrophic event or situation.
in a world of one's own
In a state of daydreaming or fantasy.
the best of both worlds
A situation where one can enjoy the advantages of two different things.

Related Words

global
Pertaining to the whole world.
cosmos
The universe seen as a well-ordered whole.
universe
All existing matter and space considered as a whole.
society
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.

Slang Meanings

The whole situation or circumstance.
Don't worry about the details, just focus on your world.
A person's personal realm or life situation.
He's really into gaming; that's his whole world.