n.
Pronunciation: ' w ə r(- ə )ld
Function: noun
Etymology: 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 ― more at VIRILE , OLD
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the earthly state of human existence b : life after death ― used with a qualifier <the next world >
2 : the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it
3 : individual course of life : CAREER
4 : the inhabitants of the earth : the human race
5 a : the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come b : secular affairs
6 : the system of created things : UNIVERSE
7 a : a division or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished by living together at the same place or at the same time <the medieval world > b : a distinctive class of persons or their sphere of interest or activity <the academic world > <the digital world >
8 : human society <withdraw from the world >
9 : a part or section of the earth that is a separate independent unit
10 : the sphere or scene of one's life and action <living in your own little world >
11 : an indefinite multitude or a great quantity or distance <makes a world of difference> <a world away>
12 : the whole body of living persons : PUBLIC <announced their discovery to the world >
13 : KINGDOM 5 <the animal world >
14 : a celestial body (as a planet)
– for all the world : in every way : EXACTLY <copies which look for all the world like the original>
– in the world : among innumerable possibilities : EVER ― used as an intensive <what in the world is it>
– out of this world : of extraordinary excellence : SUPERB