second world: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low (historical term)Historical, academic (political science, history, economics), journalistic (historical context)
Quick answer
What does “second world” mean?
A geopolitical and economic classification for countries that were part of the communist, socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A geopolitical and economic classification for countries that were part of the communist, socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
In contemporary, less common usage, sometimes used to refer to developing nations or economies that are between the advanced industrial 'first world' and the underdeveloped 'third world', though this usage is dated, potentially misleading, and has largely been replaced by terms like 'emerging markets'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or application. Usage is equally historical and academic in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong historical and ideological connotations of the 20th-century bipolar global order. May be perceived as simplistic or outdated in modern geopolitical analysis.
Frequency
Extremely low in contemporary discourse outside historical discussion. It appears in textbooks, historical documentaries, and analyses of the Cold War.
Grammar
How to Use “second world” in a Sentence
The + second worldsecond-world + noun (e.g., country, nation)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second world” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – This is a noun compound.
American English
- N/A – This is a noun compound.
adverb
British English
- N/A – No adverbial form.
American English
- N/A – No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The second-world economies were characterised by state planning.
American English
- Second-world policies often emphasised heavy industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts. A historical reference to closed, planned economies.
Academic
Used in political science, modern history, and economic history to describe the Cold War geopolitical landscape.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by older generations recalling the Cold War or in documentary narration.
Technical
Not a technical term in contemporary economics or international relations. Considered a dated model.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second world”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second world”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second world”
- Using it to mean 'developing countries' (that's largely 'third world' in the old model).
- Using it to describe modern Russia (it is now considered a part of the 'first world' or an 'emerging market').
- Capitalising it incorrectly (not a proper noun: 'second world', not 'Second World').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is largely a historical term. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the global shift in alliances made the First/Second/Third World model obsolete for contemporary analysis.
Historically, 'second world' referred to the industrialized communist bloc (e.g., USSR, East Germany). 'Third world' referred to nations not aligned with either the capitalist 'first world' or the communist 'second world', often poorer, developing countries.
No, that would be incorrect and confusing. Those countries were historically part of the 'third world' or, in modern terminology, are called 'emerging markets' or 'developing economies'.
It is based on a simplistic, Cold War-era division that doesn't reflect today's multipolar world, complex economies, and varied political systems. It also carries hierarchical and value-laden connotations.
A geopolitical and economic classification for countries that were part of the communist, socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
Second world is usually historical, academic (political science, history, economics), journalistic (historical context) in register.
Second world: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd ˈwɜːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd ˈwɜrld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the first, second, and third worlds (historical tripartite division)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a globe divided into three numbered sections during a tense 'COLD' period. The SECOND section (Second World) was aligned with the RED (communist) centre.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS A MAP DIVIDED INTO TEAMS (First, Second, Third).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct historical description of 'second world' countries?