Weltanschauung

[ velt-ahn-shou-oong ]

noun

, German.

1. worldview ( def ).

Weltanschauung

/ ˈvɛltanʃauʊŋ /

noun

1. a comprehensive view or personal philosophy of human life and the universe

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weltanschauung¹

First recorded in 1865–70; Welt “world” + Anschauung “view, conception, perception”; Anschauung ( def ); world ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weltanschauung¹

from Welt world + Anschauung view

Example Sentences

And endlessly repeating the phrase so it goes does not a Weltanschauung make.

From New York Times

Weltanschauung refers to an apprehension, usually one stemming from a specific standpoint.

From Seattle Times

And no matter how autobiographical they may seem to be, Munch’s Weltanschauung embraces all mankind.

From The Guardian

It was demeaning, to borrow a line from the poet A. R. Ammons, to allow one’s Weltanschauung to be noticeably wobbled.

From New York Times

We tried to find common ground, and we all got out of the conversation unscathed, but it was a microcosm of the polarization Americans have come to expect out of our country’s new political Weltanschauung.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• perspective
• position
• view
• viewpoint