worlds away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worlds away" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant distance or contrast between two things or places. Example: "Growing up in a small town, I always dreamed of living in a big city. Now that I've moved to New York, the lifestyle and culture here feel worlds away from what I was used to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

MINNEAPOLIS "Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes".

The New York Times - Arts

And "murie" seems worlds away from "merry".

The Guardian - Books

Detroit is 10 miles and worlds away from Troy.

The New York Times

"The audience doesn't feel worlds away," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It's worlds away from even a couple of years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

… Moscow is still worlds away from New York.

The New York Times

We're worlds away from the sober, nocturnal car-packing scene on the book's first page.

The New York Times - Books

Trundling down Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue,  Winston Williams's  Ford 350 van is worlds away from rural Maine.

The New York Times

His physicality is worlds away from the rigidly held torso and arms associated with step dance.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is worlds away" in every measure except distance, he said.

The New York Times

"Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away" is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worlds away" to effectively emphasize a striking contrast or a significant separation, whether it's physical, emotional, or conceptual. This phrase adds impact and vividness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "worlds away" in situations where a simple description of physical distance suffices. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a profound difference or a transformative change, not just geographical separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worlds away" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used adverbially to modify a verb or adjective. It emphasizes a significant degree of difference or separation. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing both physical and abstract distances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Arts

12%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worlds away" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a significant difference or separation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates both physical and abstract distances, often creating a vivid contrast. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase, while leaning towards a neutral register, is suitable for scenarios needing an accentuated distinction. Remember to use it when you wish to highlight profound differences rather than mere geographical separation, avoiding overuse in strictly literal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a far cry from

Expresses a significant contrast or change from a previous state.

vastly different

Highlights the significant degree of difference.

light years from

Emphasizes an expansive difference or advancement from something else, often used metaphorically.

galaxies away

Similar to "light years from", but can suggest an even greater, almost unimaginable distance.

completely different

Emphasizes the total dissimilarity between two things.

poles apart

Indicates an extreme level of opposition or difference.

miles apart

Suggests a significant divergence or difference.

distinctly dissimilar

Focuses on the noticeable lack of resemblance or similarity.

removed from

Indicates a state of being separate or disconnected.

as different as night and day

Highlights a complete and obvious contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "worlds away" in a sentence?

Use "worlds away" to emphasize a great difference or distance between two things. For example, "The bustling city life felt "worlds away" from the peaceful countryside".

What's the difference between "worlds away" and "far away"?

"Far away" describes physical distance, while "worlds away" implies a significant difference in experience, environment, or state. Something can be "far away" in terms of miles, but "worlds away" suggests a deeper, more qualitative separation.

What can I say instead of "worlds away"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "completely different", "vastly different", or "miles apart" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a world away" the same as "worlds away"?

While similar, "a world away" often describes a single, specific difference or contrast, whereas "worlds away" implies a more comprehensive and multifaceted separation. The plural form intensifies the sense of profound difference.