Weltanschauung

noun

Welt·​an·​schau·​ung ˈvelt-ˌän-ˌshau̇-əŋ 

variants or less commonly weltanschauung

plural Weltanschauungen ˈvelt-ˌän-ˌshau̇-əŋ-ən  also Weltanschauungs ˈvelt-ˌän-ˌshau̇-əŋz 

: a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint : worldview

… she possesses a weltanschauung that is unremittingly positive …

—Leonore Fleischer

In my personal Weltanschauung, there is nothing wrong with arm hair, giant headphones are silly and skin-lightening products are creepy and grim.

—Victoria Coren Mitchell

"… We thought we could make things better for everyone. I shared that whole Kennedy-era Weltanschauung. …"

—Jim McBride

… British bloggers and readers are far more familiar with the American Weltanschauung. But are we also starting to write like Americans?

—Daniel Hannan

Word History

Etymology

German, from Welt world + Anschauung view

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!