Main Entry: ¹world

Pronunciation: \ˈwər(-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