world|wide ◆◇◇ /wɜː r ldwa I d/ also world-wide ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] If something exists or happens worldwide , it exists or happens throughout the world. □ His books have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. □ Worldwide, an enormous amount of research effort goes into military technology. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Worldwide is also an adjective. □ Today, doctors are fearing a worldwide epidemic. SYNONYMS worldwide ADV
globaclass="underline" …a global ban on nuclear testing.
internationaclass="underline" …emergency aid from the international community.
universaclass="underline" The desire to look attractive is universal.
Wo rld Wide We b N‑PROPER The World Wide Web is a computer system which links documents and pictures into a database that is stored in computers in many different parts of the world and that people everywhere can use. The abbreviations WWW and the Web are often used. [COMPUTING ]
worm /wɜː r m/ (worms , worming , wormed )
1 N‑COUNT A worm is a small animal with a long thin body, no bones and no legs.
2 N‑PLURAL If animals or people have worms , worms are living in their intestines.
3 VERB If you worm an animal, you give it medicine in order to kill the worms that are living in its intestines. □ [V n] I worm all my birds in early spring. □ [be V -ed] All adult dogs are routinely wormed at least every six months.
4 VERB If you say that someone is worming their way to success, or is worming their way into someone else's affection, you disapprove of the way that they are gradually making someone trust them or like them, often in order to deceive them or gain some advantage. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] She never misses a chance to worm her way into the public's hearts.
5 N‑COUNT A worm is a computer program that contains a virus which duplicates itself many times in a network. [COMPUTING ]
6 PHRASE If you say that someone is opening a can of worms , you are warning them that they are planning to do or talk about something which is much more complicated, unpleasant, or difficult than they realize and which might be better left alone. □ You've opened up a whole new can of worms here I think.
worm|wood /wɜː r mwʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Wormwood is a plant that has a very bitter taste and is used in making medicines and alcoholic drinks.
worn /wɔː r n/
1 Worn is the past participle of wear .
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Worn is used to describe something that is damaged or thin because it is old and has been used a lot. □ Worn rugs increase the danger of tripping.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone looks worn , they look tired and old. □ She was looking very haggard and worn.
4 → see also well-worn
wo rn ou t also worn-out
1 ADJ Something that is worn out is so old, damaged, or thin from use that it cannot be used any more. □ …the car's worn out tyres. □ …faded bits of worn-out clothing.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is worn out is extremely tired after hard work or a difficult or unpleasant experience. □ Before the race, he is fine. But afterwards he is worn out.
wor|ried ◆◇◇ /wʌ rid, [AM ] wɜː rid/ ADJ [ADJ that] When you are worried , you are unhappy because you keep thinking about problems that you have or about unpleasant things that might happen in the future. □ He seemed very worried. □ [+ about ] If you're at all worried about his progress, do discuss it with one of his teachers. ● wor|ried|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'You don't have to go, you know,' she said worriedly.
wor|ri|er /wʌ riə r , [AM ] wɜː riər/ (worriers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a worrier , you mean that they spend a lot of time thinking about problems that they have or unpleasant things that might happen.
wor|ri|some /wʌ r I səm, [AM ] wɜː r-/ ADJ Something that is worrisome causes people to worry. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use worrying
wor|ry ◆◆◇ /wʌ ri, [AM ] wɜː ri/ (worries , worrying , worried )
1 VERB If you worry , you keep thinking about problems that you have or about unpleasant things that might happen. □ [V ] Don't worry, your luggage will come on afterwards by taxi. □ [V + about ] I worry about her constantly. □ [V that] They worry that extremists might gain control.
2 VERB If someone or something worries you, they make you anxious because you keep thinking about problems or unpleasant things that might be connected with them. □ [V n] I'm still in the early days of my recovery and that worries me. □ [V n] 'Why didn't you tell us?'—'I didn't want to worry you.'
3 VERB [oft with neg] If someone or something does not worry you, you do not dislike them or you are not annoyed by them. [SPOKEN ] □ [V n] The cold doesn't worry me.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Worry is the state or feeling of anxiety and unhappiness caused by the problems that you have or by thinking about unpleasant things that might happen. □ His last years were overshadowed by financial worry.
5 N‑COUNT A worry is a problem that you keep thinking about and that makes you unhappy. □ My main worry was that Madeleine Johnson would still be there. □ [+ about ] His wife Cheryl said she had no worries about his health.
wor|ry|ing /wʌ ri I ŋ, [AM ] wɜː ri I ŋ/ in AM, usually use worrisome ADJ If something is worrying , it causes people to worry. [mainly BRIT ] □ It's worrying that they're doing things without training. □ …a new and worrying report about smoking. ● wor|ry|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The rate of assaults was worryingly high.