/werrld/ , n.
1. the earth or globe, considered as a planet.
2. ( often cap. ) a particular division of the earth: the Western world.
3. the earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period: the ancient world.
4. humankind; the human race; humanity: The world must eliminate war and poverty.
5. the public generally: The whole world knows it.
6. the class of persons devoted to the affairs, interests, or pursuits of this life: The world worships success.
7. a particular class of people, with common interests, aims, etc.: the fashionable world.
8. any sphere, realm, or domain, with all pertaining to it: a child's world; the world of dreams; the insect world.
9. everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.
10. any complex whole conceived as resembling the universe: the world of the microcosm.
11. one of the three general groupings of physical nature: animal world; mineral world; vegetable world.
12. any period, state, or sphere of existence: this world; the world to come.
13. Often, worlds . a great deal: That vacation was worlds of fun.
14. any indefinitely great expanse.
15. any heavenly body: the starry worlds.
16. bring into the world ,
a. to give birth to; bear: My grandmother brought nine children into the world.
b. to deliver (a baby): the doctor brought many children into the world.
17. come into the world , to be born: Her first child came into the world in June.
18. for all the world ,
a. for any consideration, however great: She wouldn't come to visit us for all the world.
b. in every respect; precisely: You look for all the world like my Aunt Mary.
19. in the world ,
a. at all; ever: I never in the world would have believed such an obvious lie.
b. from among all possibilities: Where in the world did you find that hat?
20. on top of the world . See top 1 (def. 25).
21. out of this or the world , exceptional; fine: The chef prepared a roast duck that was out of this world.
22. set the world on fire , to achieve great fame and success: He didn't seem to be the type to set the world on fire.
23. think the world of , to like or admire greatly: His coworkers think the world of him.
24. world without end , for all eternity; for always.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE world, weorold; c. D wereld, G Welt, ON verold, all wer-ald- lit., age of man ]
Syn. 1. See earth .