in the world

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in the world

1. (idiomatic) An intensifier, often used after an interrogative word.

   What in the world was that?

   Who in the world would want to do that?

   • 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, chapter 24, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M. Hill Co., →OCLC:

     "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?"

2. Used for emphasis after a qualified noun.

   Synonym: on the face of the earth

   the happiest girl 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:

     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.

3. (religion) In this present age; here and now.
   • 1998, Rich Mullins (lyrics and music), “That Where I am There You...”:

     In the world you will have trouble, but I leave you my peace that where I am there you may also be.

     (adapted from John 13–14)

   1. (religion) Characteristic of wider society; worldly.
      • 2023 July 7 (last accessed), “Monasticism in 21st Century”, in The Holy Monastery of St Paisius‎:

        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.

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