earth

1 the celestial body on which we live <environmentalists who are committed to preserving the earth> Synonyms globe, planet, world Related Words cosmos, creation, nature, universe; ball, orb, sphere; macrocosm, microcosm, microcosmos

2 the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air <after nearly drowning, I was glad to feel the earth under my feet> Synonyms dirt, dust, ground, land, soil, terra firma Related Words continent, landmass, zone; island, isthmus, mainland, peninsula

3 the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow <set the plants deep enough into the earth so that they'll be sure to take root> Synonyms clod, dirt, ground, mold, soilRelated Words blackland, clay, gault [chiefly British], gley, guck (or gook), gumbo, kaolin, muck, mud; dust, gravel, sand; humus, loam, topsoil; alluvium, colluvium, detritus, loess, marl, sediment, shingle, silt; duff, mull; subsoil, substratum

4 a very large amount of money <it'll cost the earth to repair that porcelain vase, so make sure that it's worth it> Synonyms big bucks, bomb [British], boodle, bundle, fortune, king's ransom, megabucks, mint, packet [chiefly British], pile, wadRelated Words heap, pot; bonanza, mine, treasure trove; assets, capital, means, property, riches, wealth, wherewithal; bread [slang], cash, chips, currency, dough, gold, jack [slang], legal tender, lucre, pelf, tender, wampumNear Antonyms petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending moneyAntonyms mite, peanuts, pittance song