open world

noun

plural open worlds

: a video game or part of a video game in which the player is not constrained to achieving specific goals and has a large degree of freedom to explore, interact with, or modify the game environment : sandbox sense 2a

The gameplay feels similar to other RPGs, and while it's an open world that allows you to do whatever you want for the most part, I do recommend accomplishing the first tasks of the recruitment quests early.

—Swapna Krishna

… you'll likely get swept in deep by the stellar narrative and the meticulously-crafted open world gameplay.

—Tanveer Singh

—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun

Whether you're keen on open-world games where you've got masses of virtual space to explore or survival games where there are more threats to keep you on your toes, our list should help you make the right choice.

—Adrian Willings

Examples of open world in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After years of open world games that render continent-sized expanses to roam, Delta’s strict guardrails around what makes an explorable space feel downright claustrophobic. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025

Instead of two dozen players speeding across a relaxing open world, Kirby Air Riders has just six combatants duking it out on tight, frantic courses. —PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

The new open world setup is all about scanning and scavenging for items, as well as taking down various Immortals (creatures mutated due to Femto). —Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

What’s different, though, is how the open world impacted the track design and competition. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for open world

• netherworld
• otherworld
• underworld
• curled
• furled
• hurled
• knurled
• swirled
• twirled
• whirled
• whorled
• lifeworld