Meaning & use
own world
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a state of being absorbed in one's thoughts, unaware of surroundings
Grammar: Often used with 'in' or 'in a', as in 'in her own world'.
Patterns
- in one's own world
- in a world of one's own
- live in one's own world
During the lecture, he seemed to be in his own world.
She sat by the window, lost in her own world.
After the news, he retreated into his own world for a few days.
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
a private, personal reality that differs from what others experience
Grammar: Often used to describe someone who seems out of touch with reality.
Patterns
- live in a world of one's own
- be in one's own world
The artist lived in a world of his own, ignoring practical matters.
People with that condition may seem to be in their own world.
Common combinations
- in one's own world
- He was in his own world, humming softly.
- lost in one's own world
- She was lost in her own world, not hearing the phone.
- live in one's own world
- After retirement, he began to live in his own world.
- retreat into one's own world
- When stressed, she retreats into her own world.
Synonyms and how they differ
- daydreaming
- Focuses on pleasant thoughts; 'own world' is broader and can include any private mental state.
- lost in thought
- Means thinking deeply and not noticing things; 'own world' often suggests a more lasting separation from others.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: own world or other world?
own world vs other world
'Other world' refers to a different realm, often spiritual; 'own world' is a personal mental space.
Practice
Choose the correct preposition: 'After the accident, he seemed to be ___ his own world.'
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'in one's own world'. 'On', 'at', and 'by' do not fit this idiomatic expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “own world”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.