World — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈwər(-ə)ld/

Meaning & Definition of World

World (noun)

  1. the earthly state of human existence
  2. life after death —used with a qualifier
  3. the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it

World (adjective)

  1. of or relating to the world
  2. extending or found throughout the world, worldwide
  3. involving or applying to part of or the whole world

World (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. human beings in general

    "the whole world is waiting to see how this crisis will play out"

    similar: folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, species
    related: community, society, crowd, masses, mob, populace, proletariat, rabble, rabblement, riffraff

  2. the celestial body on which we live

    "worried about the effects of pollution on the world"

    similar: earth, globe, planet
    related: cosmos, creation, nature, universe, ball, orb, sphere, macrocosm, microcosm, microcosmos

  3. the whole body of things observed or assumed

    "theories about the origin of the world"

    similar: cosmos, creation, macrocosm, nature, universe
    related: existence, reality
    near: nothingness, void

  4. a huge physical or conceptual distance

    "they have ideas for the new project that are a world away from his own"

    similar: galaxy, light-year
    related: country mile, long haul, way, infinity
    near: hop, skip, and jump, shouting distance, stone's throw, striking distance, hair, hairbreadth, inch

Related Entry: World power (noun)

World power is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world power, not for world.

  1. as in power, sea power

    similar: great power, power, sea power, superpower, commonwealth, country, land, sovereignty, state, city-state, microstate, ministate, nation-state, domain, dominion, empire, kingdom, realm, republic, duchy, dukedom, emirate, principality, seigniory, sultanate, democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, oligarchy, sovereign, theocracy, client state, colony, condominium, dependency, mandate, province, settlement, soil, trust territory, fatherland, homeland, motherland, welfare state

Related Entry: World powers (noun)

World powers is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world powers, not for world.

  1. as in powers, sea powers

    similar: great powers, powers, sea powers, superpowers, commonwealths, countries, lands, sovereignties, states, city-states, microstates, ministates, nation-states, domains, dominions, empires, kingdoms, realms, republics, duchies, dukedoms, emirates, principalities, seigniories, sultanates, democracies, dictatorships, monarchies, monocracies, oligarchies, sovereigns, theocracies, client states, colonies, condominiums, dependencies, mandates, provinces, settlements, soil, trust territories, fatherlands, homelands, motherlands, welfare states

Related Entry: World soul (noun)

World soul is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world soul, not for world.

  1. as in life, élan vital

    similar: élan vital, life, lifeblood, Shakti, inner light, light, nature, orgone, soul, spirit, karma, mana, aura, chi, energy, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s)

Related Entry: World souls (noun)

World souls is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world souls, not for world.

  1. as in lives, Shaktis

    similar: lifebloods, lives, Shaktis, inner lights, lights, natures, orgones, souls, spirits, karmas, manas, auras, chis, energies, kis, vibes, vibrations

Related Entry: World war (noun)

World war is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world war, not for world.

  1. as in civil war, cold war

    similar: civil war, cold war, holy war, limited war, police action, conflagration, conflict, hostilities, hot war, war, action, battle, engagement, skirmish, combat, fighting, warfare
    opposite: peace, demilitarization, demobilization, disarmament, pacification, ceasefire, truce, calm, peacefulness, tranquility

Related Entry: World wars (noun)

World wars is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world wars, not for world.

  1. as in civil wars, cold wars

    similar: civil wars, cold wars, holy wars, limited wars, police actions, conflagrations, conflicts, hostilities, hot wars, wars, actions, battles, engagements, skirmishes, combats, warfares
    opposite: peaces, demilitarizations, demobilizations, disarmaments, pacifications, cease-fires, truces, calms, tranquilities

Related Entry: World-beater (noun)

World-beater is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world-beater, not for world.

  1. as in champion, titlist

    similar: champ, champion, titleholder, titlist, victor, winner, finalist, quarterfinalist, semifinalist, megastar, star, superstar, medalist, prizewinner, placer, cochampion, cowinner
    opposite: loser

Related Entry: World-beaters (noun)

World-beaters is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world-beaters, not for world.

  1. as in champions, titlists

    similar: champions, champs, titleholders, titlists, victors, winners, finalists, quarterfinalists, semifinalists, megastars, stars, superstars, medalists, prizewinners, placers, cochampions, cowinners
    opposite: losers

Related Entry: World-weary (adjective)

World-weary is a different word from World. The synonyms below are for world-weary, not for world.

  1. as in blasé

    similar: blasé, disgusted, nauseated, repulsed, annoyed, exasperated, frustrated, irritated, beat, burned-out, bushed, done in, drained, enervated, exhausted, fatigued, limp, played out, tuckered (out), worn-out, dejected, demoralized, discouraged, disheartened, dispirited, glutted, sated, satiated, surfeited, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested, bored, fed up, jaded, sick, sick and tired, tired, wearied, weary
    opposite: absorbed, engaged, engrossed, interested, intrigued, rapt, animated, energized, enlivened, excited, galvanized, invigorated, stimulated, vitalized, amused, entertained, beguiled, bewitched, captivated, charmed, enchanted, enthralled, fascinated, hypnotized, mesmerized, delighted, pleased, thrilled

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for World

The most common words with a similar meaning to World:

folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, species, earth, globe, planet, cosmos, creation, macrocosm, nature, universe, galaxy, light-year

Related Words for World

community, society, crowd, masses, mob, populace, proletariat, rabble, rabblement, riffraff, ball, orb, sphere, microcosm, microcosmos, existence, reality, country mile, long haul, way, infinity

Near Antonyms of World

nothingness, void, hop, skip, and jump, shouting distance, stone's throw, striking distance, hair, hairbreadth, inch

Origin & Etymology of World

Middle English, from Old English woruld human existence, this world, age (akin to Old High German weralt age, world); akin to Old English wer man, eald old virile, old

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for World

Words & Phrases Containing World

world beat, world-beater, world-builder, world-building, world-class, world federalism, world federalist, world music

Frequently Asked Questions about World

What does "World" mean?

"World" means the earthly state of human existence. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: the earthly state of human existence. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "World"?

Other words for "World" include folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, species, earth and globe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "World" you intend.

What are different ways to say "World"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "World". Common alternatives include folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, species, earth, globe, planet and cosmos.

How do you use "World" in a sentence?

Examples of "World" in a sentence: "the whole world is waiting to see how this crisis will play out"; "worried about the effects of pollution on the world"; "theories about the origin of the world".

Is "World" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"World" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "World" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "World" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "World"?

"World" is pronounced /ˈwər(-ə)ld/.

What is the origin of the word "World"?

"World" comes from Middle English, from Old English woruld human existence, this world, age (akin to Old High German weralt age, world); akin to Old English wer man, eald old virile, old. First known use: before 12th century.