Third World
See also: third-world, third world, and Third-World
English
Third-World countries according to sense 1 shown in green.
Alternative forms
- third world
Proper noun
the Third World
- (historical, politics) Those countries not aligned with the west or the east during the Cold War.
- (sometimes derogatory) The developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
- Antonym: First World
- Our district has many immigrants from Third World countries
- (attributive, derogatory, informal) Any developing country, or a country lacking the perceived rudiments of civilization.
- This just proves that the US is a Third World country.
Usage notes
This term is sometimes considered to be offensive and acceptable only in its historical sense as referring to countries that were not geographically aligned with the west or east during the Cold War. Even in that sense, the term non-aligned country is generally preferred. See also developed country § Usage notes.
Derived terms
Derived terms
- Third-World
- Third World briefcase
- Third Worlder
- Third-Worldist
- Third-Worldism
- Third-Worldization
Translations
countries not alligned with the west or east during the cold war
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developing countries
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See also
- First World
- Fourth World
- Second World
- Turd World
Further reading
Third World on Wikipedia.Wikipedia