3rd world

Proper noun

the Third World

1. (historical) Those countries not aligned with the west or the east during the Cold War.
2. (derogatory, sometimes) Developing countries, especially those of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
   • Our district has many immigrants from Third World countries

   Synonyms:

   Global South

   Antonyms:

   First World

3. (attributive, derogatory, informal) Any developing country, or a country lacking the perceived internationally respected ideal standards of a society (e.g. sufficient rule of law and internationally respected level of prosperity).
   • In some instances, the U.S.’s performance is downright abysmal, far below foreign countries that are snidely looked-down-upon as “third world.”2014 March 5, Sean McElwee, “Six Ways America Is Like a Third-World Country”, in Rolling Stone, archived from the original on 16 Apr 2021
4. People of marginalized or exploited races, collectively.
   • Although it has been publicized that 1/3 of the musicians are women of color. these women were chosen without consulting the Third World Women's community.1981 April 11, Maxine Feldman et. al., “East Coast Women's Festival”, in Gay Community News, page 5