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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

in the world en · ADP

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) An intensifier, often used after an interrogative word.
    • "My darling child!" she cried, folding the little girl in her arms and covering her face with kisses. "Where in the world did you come from?" 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, chapter 24, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M[elvin] Hill Co., →OCLC:
    • What in the world was that?
    • Who in the world would want to do that?
  2. Used for emphasis after a qualified noun.
    • Writing a “Treehouse Of Horror”segment has to be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s exhilarating because it affords writers all the freedom in the world. 2012 April 29, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in AV Club:
    • the happiest girl in the world
  3. In this present age; here and now.
    • In the world you will have trouble, but I leave you my peace that where I am there you may also be. 1998, Rich Mullins, “That Where I am There You...”:
  4. In this present age; here and now. ▸ Characteristic of wider society; worldly.
    • With some effort and discipline anyone can learn to get up early and to stand through long church services, to make prostrations and to work, and work hard, at jobs that you don’t necessarily like. A lot of people in the world have a much more difficult life in that sense. 2023 July 7 (last accessed), “Monasticism in 21st Century”, in The Holy Monastery of St Paisius:

Relateds

here below

Synonyms

on the face of the earth · the dickens

Translations (16)

da i alverden (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · nl ter wereld (used for emphasis together with a noun) · pl na świecie (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · fi maailman (used for emphasis together with a noun) · cmn 到底 (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · fi ihme (matches the case of mikä) (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · de in Gottes Namen (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · fi kumma (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · de um Himmels willen (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · de in Herrgotts Namen (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · es del mundo (used for emphasis together with a noun) · cmn 究竟 (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · pl na świecie (used for emphasis together with a noun) · fr au monde (used for emphasis after an interrogative) · cmn 世界上 (used for emphasis together with a noun) · de in aller Welt (used for emphasis after an interrogative)