First World

English

Proper noun

First World

  1. (historical, politics) Those countries aligned with the West during the Cold War.
    Holonyms: world, World
    Meronym: Western Bloc
    Comeronyms: Second World, Third World
    Near-synonym: free world
  2. (informal) Wealthy, developed nations.
    Holonyms: world, World
    Comeronyms: Second World, Third World; Global South; developing countries
    Near-synonyms: Global North, developed countries
  3. (Hopi religion) Synonym of Tokpela.

Usage notes

The entire concept of ranking countries in this way is deprecated except in its historical senses; see Third World § Usage notes.

Translations

See also