# world

/ˈwɝɫd/ (US) · /wˈɜːld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/world
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the planet Earth

noun · CEFR A1

the planet that we live on.

For teachers: the planet Earth, often considered in a physical, geopolitical, or environmental context.

- The ship sailed all the way around the world in eighty days.
- Environmental scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact of rising temperatures on the world's polar ice caps.

### 2. human society

noun · CEFR A2

all the people in the world and the way they live together.

For teachers: the collective human experience or the global community of people.

- The internet has changed the way the whole world communicates.
- The leader's speech was broadcast live, reaching a world that was eager for news of a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

### 3. a specific area of interest

noun · CEFR B1

a particular group of things, people, or activities.

For teachers: a specific sphere of activity, interest, or profession.

- She has always wanted to work in the world of fashion.
- Navigating the complex world of international finance requires both specialized knowledge and a high degree of professional intuition.

### 4. gaming/fiction

noun · CEFR B1

a fictional place or a part of a video game.

For teachers: a fictional realm or a discrete subdivision of a game environment.

- I finally reached the third world in the game after playing for hours.
- The author spent years developing the history and languages of her fantasy world before writing the first chapter of the novel.

### 5. a great amount

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a very large amount of something.

For teachers: a significant or vast amount; often used in the phrase 'a world of difference'.

- Getting a good night's sleep did him a world of good.
- There is a world of difference between theoretical knowledge and the practical skills gained through years of on-the-job experience.

## Examples

- I want to travel around the world.
- The internet has changed the way people all over the world communicate with each other.
- Environmental scientists warn that global cooperation is essential to protect the world's biodiversity from the accelerating effects of climate change.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.