first world

noun

often capitalized F&W
: the highly developed industrialized nations often considered the westernized countries of the world

Word History

Etymology

after third world

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first world was in 1967

Rhymes for first world

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Browse Nearby Words

first water
first world
first world problem
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Cite this Entry

“First world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20world. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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