What is world? Pronunciation and usage in English

world means . Learn how to pronounce and use world through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of world

worldnoun

/wəːld/
Definition & pronunciation of world

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "world" in English. It’s a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • /wɜːld/ (British English) - This is how it sounds in England.

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "wɜː": This is the trickiest part.

    • "w": Pronounced like the "w" in "water".
    • "ɜː": This is a short, broad "er" sound, like in the word "bird" or "hurt." It's a bit longer and more open than the "er" in "her." It’s crucial to keep this sound relatively long—don’t rush it. Think of the "a" in “father” but shorter.

  2. "ld": This is pronounced as a single, blended sound. It’s like saying "uld," but with a slightly softer 'l' sound. It’s not a hard “l” like in “light.”

American English Pronunciation:

  • /wɜːrld/ (American English) - The pronunciation is very similar, but many Americans pronounce the “ld” as a slightly more distinct “l-d” sound.

Tips for Mastering it:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • For British English: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce world British English."
    • For American English: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce world American English."
  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to the pronunciation you're trying to achieve.
  • Focus on the "ɜː" sound: This is really the key difference. Practice saying words with that sound, like "bird," "hurt," "hurt," or "first."

Resources:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Which English dialect are you interested in (British or American)?

Usage and examples with the word world in English

Let's break down how to use the word "world" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with lots of different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Planet (Most Common)

  • Definition: The Earth – our home.
  • Examples:
    • "The world is a beautiful place."
    • "Scientists are studying the changing climate of the world."
    • "He traveled around the world."
    • “The world is getting warmer.”

2. As a System of People, Countries, and Cultures

  • Definition: Refers to all the people, countries, and cultures that exist together. Think of it as a global community.
  • Examples:
    • "The world needs peace."
    • "Global warming is a world problem."
    • "She has traveled to many parts of the world."
    • “The world stage” (Meaning the international stage for events like sports or entertainment)

3. As a Specific Place or Area

  • Definition: A particular location, often with a specific connotation.
  • Examples:
    • “The world of finance” (Referring to the business of money)
    • "The world of art” (Referring to painters, sculptures, etc.)
    • "He lives in a small world." (Meaning he's limited in his experiences.)
    • “The world of computers” (Referring to technology)

4. As a Sphere of Experience or Interest

  • Definition: A particular subject, area of knowledge, or activity that someone is interested in or involved in. This is often used with “in” or “of.”
  • Examples:
    • "She's a rising star in the world of music."
    • "He's lost in the world of his imagination."
    • "The world of video games is constantly changing."
    • “I’m moving into a new world of study.”

5. Figurative Language - "World" as a State of Being

  • Definition: Used to express a feeling or state.
  • Examples:
    • "The world seemed dark and hopeless." (Expressing sadness)
    • "He lived in a world of his own." (Expressing detachment)
    • "She created a world of fantasy in her novels." (Expressing imagination)

6. As a Pronoun (Less Common)

  • Definition: Referring to “the world” as a collective.
  • Example: “We need to do our part to protect the world.” (Referring to all people and the planet)

Here are some useful phrases with "world":

  • Around the world: Traveling to many different countries.
  • Of the world: Part of the overall world (e.g., "a famous actor of the world").
  • In the world: Existing in the world (e.g., "he is in the world to learn").
  • Change the world: To make a significant positive impact.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write/say? (e.g., a story, an essay, a conversation?)
  • Can you provide a specific sentence you’re having trouble with?

Synonyms for the word world

Idioms of the word world

be all the world to somebody
to be loved by and very important to somebody
    be lost to the world
    to be giving all your attention to something so that you do not notice what is happening around you
    • When he’s listening to music he’s lost to the world.
    the best of both worlds/all possible worlds
    the benefits of two or more completely different situations that you can enjoy at the same time
    • If you enjoy the coast and the country, you'll get the best of both worlds on this walk.
    • Maybe in the best of all possible worlds things would be different.
    be worlds apart
    to be completely different in attitudes, opinions, etc.
    • Although they are twins, they are worlds apart in their attitude to life.
    (a) brave new world
    a situation or society that changes in a way that is meant to improve people’s lives but is often a source of extra problems
    • the brave new world of technology
    • the architects' vision of a brave new world of pristine concrete
    come/go down/up in the world
    to become less/more important or successful in society
      come into the world
      (literary)to be born
        dead to the world
        in a deep sleep
          do somebody/something the world of good
          to make somebody feel much better; to improve something
          • A change of job would do you the world of good.
          for all the world as if/though… | for all the world like somebody/something
          (formal)exactly as if…; exactly like somebody/something
          • She behaved for all the world as if nothing unusual had happened.
          • He looked for all the world like a schoolboy caught stealing apples.
          have the world at your feet
          to be very successful and admired
            how, why, etc. in the world
            (informal)used to emphasize something and to show that you are surprised or annoyed
            • What in the world did they think they were doing?
            in an ideal/a perfect world
            used to say that something is what you would like to happen or what should happen, but you know it cannot
            • In an ideal world we would be recycling and reusing everything.
            in the world
            used to emphasize what you are saying
            • There's nothing in the world I'd like more than to visit New York.
            • Don't rush—we've got all the time in the world.
            • You look as if you haven't got a care in the world!
            (be/live) in a world of your own
            if you are in a world of your own, you are so concerned with your own thoughts that you do not notice what is happening around you
            • I tapped on the window to get her attention but she was in a world of her own.
            it’s a small world
            (saying)used to express your surprise when you meet somebody you know in an unexpected place, or when you are talking to somebody and find out that you both know the same person
              a man/woman of the world
              a person with a lot of experience of life, who is not easily surprised or shocked
                not the end of the world
                (informal)not the worst thing that could happen to somebody
                • Failing one exam is not the end of the world.
                • It won't be the end of the world if you don't get the job.
                not for (all) the world
                used to say that you would never do something
                • I wouldn't hurt you for the world.
                the… of this world
                (informal)used to refer to people of a particular type
                • We all envy the Bill Gateses of this world (= the people who are as rich and successful as Bill Gates).
                on top of the world
                very happy or proud
                  out of this world
                  (informal)used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc. something is
                  • The meal was out of this world.
                  promise (somebody) the earth/moon/world
                  (informal)to make promises that will be impossible to keep
                  • Politicians promise the earth before an election, but things are different afterwards.
                  see the world
                  to travel widely and gain wide experience
                  • As a young man, he wanted to see the world before he settled down.
                  set the world on fire
                  (informal)to be very successful and admired by other people
                  • He's never going to set the world on fire with his paintings.
                  set/put the world to rights
                  to talk about how the world could be changed to be a better place
                  • We stayed up all night, setting the world to rights.
                  a/the twilight world (of something) | the twilight zone
                  a state in which things are strange, mysterious or secret; a state that exists on the dividing line between two things
                  • the twilight world of the occult
                  • The dissidents lived in a twilight world of hushed voices and secret meetings.
                  • the twilight zone between living and merely existing
                  • They lived in the twilight zone on the fringes of society.
                  watch the world go by
                  to relax and watch people in a public place
                  • We sat outside a cafe, watching the world go by.
                  • I love just watching the world go by.
                  the way of the world
                  the way that most people behave; the way that things happen, which you cannot change
                  • The rich and powerful make the decisions—that's the way of the world.
                  what is the world coming to?
                  used to express dislike, surprise or shock, especially at changes in people’s attitudes or behaviour
                  • When I listen to the news these days, I sometimes wonder what the world is coming to.
                  with the best will in the world
                  used to say that you cannot do something, even though you really want to
                  • With the best will in the world I could not describe him as a good father.
                  (all) the world and his wife
                  (British English, old-fashioned, informal, humorous)everyone; a large number of people
                    a world away (from something)
                    used to emphasize how different two things are
                    • His new luxury mansion was a world away from the tiny house where he was born.
                    the world is your oyster
                    there is no limit to the opportunities open to you
                    • With talent like that, the world is her oyster.
                    a/the world of difference
                    (informal)used to emphasize how much difference there is between two things
                    • There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
                    the (whole) world over
                    everywhere in the world
                    • People are basically the same the world over.
                    • Scientists the world over have been waiting for this breakthrough.
                    the worst of all (possible) worlds
                    a situation in which you have all the possible disadvantages at the same time

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