world-class

adjective

ˈwərl(d)-ˈklas 

: being of the highest caliber in the world

a world-class athlete

Examples of world-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanks to a world-class performance from a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a rock-solid Cape Verde defense, the African nation emerged overjoyed despite a draw. — Ainsley Flood, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Portugal are stacked with world-class talent in midfield, and there is no shame in losing out on a spot to Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves or Bruno Fernandes. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Here, ski runs morph into mountain biking trails, nearby frozen lakes warm to refreshingly swimmable, and the snow melts to reveal the greenest world-class golf courses. — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Wildlife viewing is the main draw, but the island also offers world-class fishing, rugged hiking trails, and beaches. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for world-class

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

Kids Definition

world-class

adjective

: being of the highest degree of excellence in the world

a world-class athlete