world
wurld
World (noun) means the Earth, along with all its people, countries, and cultures. Example: “She has traveled to over forty countries around the world.”
noun
1
The Earth, along with all its people, countries, and cultures.
"She has traveled to over forty countries around the world."
"The news spread around the world within hours."
"Satellites let us send messages to every corner of the world."
2
Human existence and experience as a whole; life in general.
"He seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders."
"She felt she was finally ready to face the world on her own."
"It's a harsh world sometimes, but kindness still matters."
3
A particular sphere of activity, interest, or experience.
"She's a rising star in the world of fashion."
"Welcome to the world of competitive chess."
"He has worked in the world of theatre for many years."
4
A planet or fictional realm, especially one that could support or does support life.
"Astronomers discovered a new world orbiting a distant star."
"In the story, the children discover a hidden world beneath the ice."
"Could another world with oceans and forests exist somewhere in space?"
How to use world
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Earth and everyone on it, or more loosely, any particular sphere of life or a fictional planet.
Common pairings
around the world
the fashion world
the whole world
world of difference
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Word forms
- Plural
- worlds
- Third person singular
- worlds
- Past tense
- worlded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has traveled to over forty countries around the _____.
Etymology
From Old English "weorold," originally meaning something like "age of man" — combining an old word for "man" with a word for "age."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “world” mean?
The word “world” means the Earth, along with all its people, countries, and cultures. In plain terms, the Earth and everyone on it, or more loosely, any particular sphere of life or a fictional planet.
How do you pronounce “world”?
“World” is pronounced wurld (/wɜɹld/ in IPA).
How do you use “world” in a sentence?
Here is “world” used in a sentence: “She has traveled to over forty countries around the world.”
What part of speech is “world”?
“World” is a noun.
Where does the word “world” come from?
The word “world” comes from Old English. From Old English "weorold," originally meaning something like "age of man" — combining an old word for "man" with a word for "age.".
Is “world” a common word?
“World” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “world” have?
“World” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Earth, along with all its people, countries, and cultures.
What is the difference between the world and the Earth?
'Earth' names the physical planet, the rock, water, and atmosphere in space. 'World' usually means the Earth together with its people, countries, and cultures, or human life in general. So astronauts orbit the Earth, but a discovery can change the world. 'World' carries the human and social meaning.
What is the difference between world and globe?
'Globe' refers to the Earth as a physical sphere, or to a spherical model of it, as in 'travelling the globe.' 'World' is broader, taking in the planet's people, societies, and affairs. You can spin a globe on a desk, but you cannot hold the world in the same physical sense.
What are the different meanings of 'world'?
'World' can mean the planet Earth and everyone on it, all of humanity ('the world is watching'), a particular sphere of activity ('the art world'), or a realm of experience ('the natural world'). It can even mean a great amount, as in 'a world of difference.'
What is an example of 'world' in a sentence?
'People from all over the world attended' refers to the Earth and its nations. 'The news shocked the world' means humanity in general. 'She is a star in the music world' points to a particular sphere. Each use builds on the idea of the Earth and its people.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing world in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
It's a plane designed to operate the world's longest non-stop commercial flights, connecting London and New York directly with Sydney for the first time.
From
CNN · Jul 25, 2026
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