all the world

noun

: everybody or everything in existence
especially : everybody or everything regarded as of account
convinced that all the world was against him
Phrases
for all the world
1
: for the sake of gaining everything : for any consideration
2
: in every respect : wholly, exactly
whose posy was for all the world like cutler's poetryShakespeare
with his father's pipe in his mouth and looking for all the world like him

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all the world was before the 12th century

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near all the world

Cite this Entry

“All the world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all%20the%20world. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!