global
GLOH-buhl
Global (adj) means affecting or involving the whole world. Example: “Plastic waste in the oceans has become a global concern.”
adj
1
Affecting or involving the whole world.
"Plastic waste in the oceans has become a global concern."
"Climate change is a global problem that no single country can solve alone."
"The company has a global network of suppliers."
2
Covering or applying to the whole of something, not just one part.
"Use a global search to find the word anywhere in the file."
"The global settings apply to every page on the website."
"She made a global change to every instance of the word in the document."
How to use global
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovering the whole world, or the whole of whatever you're talking about.
Common pairings
global economy
global warming
global scale
global variable
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Word forms
- Plural
- globals
- Comparative
- more global
- Superlative
- most global
Fill the gap
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Plastic waste in the oceans has become a _____ concern.
Etymology
From "globe" plus the adjective ending "-al," on the model of French global.
Synonyms
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worldwide
international
universal
planetary
transnational
world
globose
globular
orbicular
spheric
spherical
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for global
See all rhymes for global →Frequently asked questions
What does “global” mean?
The word “global” means affecting or involving the whole world. In plain terms, covering the whole world, or the whole of whatever you're talking about.
How do you pronounce “global”?
“Global” is pronounced GLOH-buhl (/ˈɡloʊ.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “global” in a sentence?
Here is “global” used in a sentence: “Climate change is a global problem that no single country can solve alone.”
What is the opposite of “global”?
The opposite of “global” — its antonyms — are domestic, national, local and regional.
What part of speech is “global”?
“Global” is an adjective.
Where does the word “global” come from?
The word “global” comes from French. From "globe" plus the adjective ending "-al," on the model of French global.
Is “global” a common word?
“Global” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “global” have?
“Global” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: affecting or involving the whole world.
What is the difference between 'global' and 'international'?
'International' means between or among nations, usually involving a limited number of them. 'Global' means affecting the entire world as a whole. An international agreement might involve two or three countries, while a global issue, such as climate change, concerns every nation on the planet. 'Global' is the wider term.
What is the difference between 'global' and 'worldwide'?
The two are close in meaning and often interchangeable, both suggesting something spread across the world. 'Worldwide' tends to stress geographic reach — happening in many places — while 'global' also implies acting as one connected whole. A worldwide release reaches many countries; a global system links them together.
What is the opposite of 'global'?
The usual opposite is 'local', meaning confined to a particular place or small area. Words like 'regional' and 'national' also contrast with 'global' by describing something limited to one region or country rather than the whole world. The choice depends on how narrow the scope actually is.
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