global
gb/ɡlˈoʊbəl/ us/ɡlˈoʊbəl/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Relating to the whole world
About or affecting all parts of the world.
Usage pattern:
[something] is global
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'global' with 'international'. 'Global' means the whole world, while 'international' means between or among countries, not necessarily all of them.
Synonyms
worldwide (Very similar in meaning; often interchangeable, but 'worldwide' can sound slightly less formal.)
|
international (Involves multiple countries but not necessarily the whole world.)
Antonyms
local (Refers to a specific small area rather than the entire world.)
Collocations
global economy
|global warming
|global market
|global community
|global crisis
Themes
geography
|politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
|travel
|science
Examples
- Climate change is a global issue that requires cooperation from all nations.
- The company has a global presence with offices on every continent.
- English has become a global language for business and science.
- The pandemic caused a global slowdown in travel.
- Global communication is faster than ever thanks to the internet.
Learner examples
- We face a global problem with pollution.
- This company sells products on a global scale.
- English is a global language.
- The internet connects people in the global community.
- Global trade is important for many countries.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
Affecting an entire system
Affecting the whole of something, not just parts.
Usage pattern:
[something] has a global effect
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'global' here always means 'worldwide', but in technical contexts it often means 'affecting the whole system'.
Synonyms
overall (Covers the whole situation; less technical-sounding.)
Antonyms
specific (Focused on a particular part rather than the whole.)
Collocations
global variable
|global setting
|global effect
Themes
technology
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In programming, a global variable can be accessed from any part of the code.
- The new policy will have a global impact on the company's operations.
- The study looked at the global effects of the medication on patients.
Learner examples
- A global setting changes everything in the program.
- The manager made a global decision for the team.
- This rule has a global effect on the school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
global
IPA
GB/ɡlˈoʊbəl/
US/ɡlˈoʊbəl/
Syllables & stress
glob - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (glob)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: global
Word family
Related words
globalize
verb
globalization
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
local
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
globalism
noun
globalist
noun
deglobalization
noun
Expressions
global economy
1/ɡlˈoʊbəl ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
World system of trade and finance
The way money, goods, and services move between countries all over the world.
Examples
- The global economy was hit hard by the financial crisis.
- Events in one country can affect the global economy quickly.
global warming
1/ɡlˈoʊbəl wˈɔɹmɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Increase in Earth's temperature
The slow rise in Earth's temperature caused by gases from cars, factories, and other human activities.
Examples
- Scientists agree that global warming is caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global warming is leading to more extreme weather events around the world.
global village
1/ɡlˈoʊbəl vˈɪlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
World as connected community
The idea that technology makes people around the world feel like they live in one small community.
Examples
- The internet has turned the planet into a global village.
- Thanks to social media, we live in a global village.
- We live in a global village where news spreads instantly.
- The internet has turned our planet into a true global village.