■ noun
1》 ( the ~ ) the earth with all its countries and peoples.
↘all of the people on the earth.
↘( one's ~ ) one's life and activities.
2》 a region or group of countries: the English-speaking ~.
↘all that belongs to a particular historical period or sphere of activity: the ~ of British theatre.
3》 ( the ~ ) human and social interaction.
↘secular or material matters as opposed to spiritual ones.
↘a stage of human life, either mortal or after death.
4》 another planet like the earth.
Phrases
the best of both (or all possible ) ~s the benefits of widely differing situations, enjoyed at the same time.
—— in the ~ used to express astonishment or disbelief in questions: What in the word are they doing?
man (or woman ) of the ~ a person who is experienced in the ways of sophisticated society.
not do something for the ~ not do something whatever the inducement.
out of this ~ informal extremely enjoyable or impressive.
think the ~ of have a very high regard for.
the ~ and his wife Brit. informal everybody.
the ~, the flesh, and the devil all forms of temptation to sin.
a (or the ) ~ of a very great deal of.
Origin
OE w(e)oruld , from a Gmc compound meaning 'age of man'.