Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

15 PHRASE You can use in an ideal world or in a perfect world when you are talking about things that you would like to happen, although you realize that they are not likely to happen. □  In a perfect world, there would be the facilities and money to treat every sick person.

16 PHRASE If you say that someone is a man of the world or a woman of the world , you mean that they are experienced and know about the practical or social aspects of life, and are not easily shocked by immoral or dishonest actions. □  Look, we are both men of the world, would anyone really mind? □  …an elegant, clever and tough woman of the world.

17 PHRASE If you say that something is out of this world , you are emphasizing that it is extremely good or impressive. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □  These new trains are out of this world.

18 PHRASE You can use the outside world to refer to all the people who do not live in a particular place or who are not involved in a particular situation. □  For many, the post office is the only link with the outside world.

19 PHRASE If you think the world of someone, you like them or care about them very much. □  I think the world of him, but something tells me it's not love. □  We were really close. We thought the world of each other.

20not be the end of the world → see end

21the world is your oyster → see oyster

22on top of the world → see top

wo rld beat|er (world beaters ) also world-beater N‑COUNT If you describe a person or thing as a world beater , you mean that they are better than most other people or things of their kind. [BRIT ]

wo rld-cla ss ADJ [usu ADJ n] A world-class sports player, performer, or organization is one of the best in the world. [JOURNALISM ] □  He was determined to become a world-class player.

wo rld-fa mous ADJ Someone or something that is world-famous is known about by people all over the world. □  …the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.

wo rld lea d|er (world leaders )

1 N‑COUNT A world leader is someone who is the leader of a country, especially an economically powerful country.

2 N‑COUNT A product, company, organization, or person that is a world leader is the most successful or advanced one in a particular area of activity. [JOURNALISM ] □  London has established itself as a world leader in hosting major cultural and sporting events.

world|ly /wɜː ^r ldli/

1 ADJ Worldly is used to describe things relating to the ordinary activities of life, rather than to spiritual things. [LITERARY ] □  I think it is time you woke up and focused your thoughts on more worldly matters.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is worldly is experienced and knows about the practical or social aspects of life. □  He was different from anyone I had known, very worldly, everything that Dermot was not.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Worldly is used to describe things relating to success, wealth, and possessions. [mainly LITERARY ] □  Today the media drive athletes to the view that the important thing is to gain worldly success.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can refer to someone's possessions as their worldly goods or possessions. [LITERARY ] □  …a man who had given up all his worldly goods.

wo rldly-wi se ADJ If you describe someone as worldly-wise , you mean they are experienced and know about the practical or social aspects of life, and are not easily shocked or impressed.

Wo rld Tra de Or|gani|za|tion N‑PROPER The World Trade Organization is an international organization that encourages and regulates trade between its member states. The abbreviation WTO is also used.