world-class
Among the best
World-class describes the highest level of quality or performance, competitive with the best anywhere in the world: a world-class athlete, world-class universities.
The term originated in sports—athletes who could compete at the Olympics or world championships—but now applies to excellence in any field: world-class cuisine, a world-class jerk.
Outstanding quality or merit
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- gold-standardIdeal reference point
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- caliberBore diameter or quality
quality · tier · level · craftsmanship · precision · innovation · sophistication · artistry
Sports competitor
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- championTop competitor, or advocate
expert · master · specialist · professional · talent · ace · genius · authority
Reputation commanding admiration
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- statureHeight or prestige
prominence · recognition · distinction · fame · honor · standing · respect · credibility
Of the Games
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- medalistCompetition award recipient
- finalistLast-round participant
qualifier · contender · podium · rankings · trials · record-holder · seed · semifinalist
excellence
Outstanding quality or merit
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- gold-standardIdeal reference point
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
caliber · quality · tier · level · craftsmanship · precision · innovation · sophistication · artistry · brilliance
athlete
Sports competitor
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
champion · expert · master · specialist · professional · talent · ace · genius · authority · connoisseur
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
stature · prominence · recognition · distinction · fame · honor · standing · respect · credibility · status
Olympic
Of the Games
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- medalistCompetition award recipient
finalist · qualifier · contender · podium · rankings · trials · record-holder · seed · semifinalist · competitor
- top tierelite, premier, premium, prime, best
- superlativesexcellent, superb, best, outstanding, supreme
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
- fitness levelsfit, unfit, in shape, out of shape, athletic
- hyphenated wordsup-to-date, pitch-black, jaw-dropping, round-the-clock, air-conditioned
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
world-classsecond-class
Lower in rank
second-rate · third-class · third-rate · minor-league · bush-league
world-classamateur
Nonprofessional participant
amateurish · mediocre · incompetent · unskilled · inexpert
world, worldwide, otherworldly, underworld, unworldly, worldliness, world-famous, worldlier, worldliest