world-beater

USAGE SUMMARY

"world-beater" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is exceptionally good or successful, often in a competitive context. Example: "Her performance in the competition made her a world-beater in the field of athletics." Alternative expressions include "top performer," "champion," and "leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

A proven world-beater.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither firm is a world-beater.

The Economist

In gymnastics, she is a world-beater.

The New York Times - Sports

The breakfast buffet is a world-beater.

The Guardian - Travel

Japan Tobacco quietly became a world-beater by buying abroad.

The Economist

By that measure, China is no world-beater.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

He certainly wasn't a world beater.

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't guarantee the school is a world beater.

The Economist

I've been around the only world beater at that position.

The New York Times - Sports

But when it comes to the Ryder Cup, he morphs into a world beater.

The New York Times - Sports

If the show is not a world beater, it is certainly pleasant and often absorbing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While often used in sports, feel free to apply it to technology, business or even consumer products like a 'world-beater engine' or 'world-beater app'.

Common error

Do not use "world-beater" to describe something that is merely 'above average'. The term implies global or absolute supremacy, so using it for minor successes can come across as hyperbole or sarcasm.

Linguistic Context

The term "world-beater" functions primarily as a compound noun. It is typically used as a subject complement to describe the superlative quality of a subject. According to Ludwig, it is often paired with the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'he is a world-beater').

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "world-beater" is a robust and effective compound noun used to denote supreme excellence or dominance in a specific field. Ludwig analysis shows that it is exceptionally common in high-quality journalism, particularly when discussing sports, international business and technological breakthroughs. While it can be written as two words, the hyphenated form is the standard. It carries a strong positive connotation of being 'the best of the best', making it an ideal choice for writers who wish to convey a high degree of confidence in the subject's abilities or quality. Its use across diverse prestigious sources confirms its status as a reliable tool for professional English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

champion

Focuses on winning a specific competition or title

world-class performer

Uses a more descriptive adjectival phrase rather than a noun

market leader

Specific to business and commercial dominance

nonpareil

A more literary and formal term meaning 'without equal'

top-tier athlete

Restricts the superlative status to the sporting domain

unbeatable competitor

Emphasizes the difficulty of defeating the subject

industry titan

Common in business contexts to describe massive, dominant firms

record-breaker

Specifically refers to surpassing established benchmarks

apex competitor

Adds a biological or strategic nuance to the dominance

king of the hill

A more idiomatic and slightly more informal expression of supremacy

FAQs

How do I use "world-beater" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person or object at the top of its field. For example: 'This new software is a "world-beater" in the cybersecurity industry'.

What can I say instead of "world-beater"?

You can use synonyms like "champion", "best in class" or "world-class" depending on the context.

Should "world-beater" be hyphenated?

Yes, it is standard to use a hyphen when it functions as a compound noun. While you may see "world beater" without a hyphen, the hyphenated version is preferred in formal writing.

Is "world-beater" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral. It appears frequently in prestigious publications like "The Economist" and "The New York Times", making it suitable for professional and journalistic contexts.