Third World

English

Third-World countries according to sense 1 shown in green.

Alternative forms

Proper noun

the Third World

  1. (historical, politics) Those countries not aligned with the west or the east during the Cold War.
  2. (sometimes derogatory) The developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
    Antonym: First World
    Our district has many immigrants from Third World countries
  3. (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

Translations

See also

Further reading

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