Meaning
"What a small world" is what you say when you discover a surprising connection with someone. You meet a stranger in Sydney, and it turns out their brother lives on your street in Toronto. The world is huge, of course, but moments like this make it feel tiny, as if everyone is connected to everyone. Other forms are "It's a small world" and "Small world."
It is warm and friendly, a perfect phrase for parties, trips, conferences and first meetings. It shows you're pleased by the coincidence and happy to talk more. There's nothing rude about it. The only way it goes wrong is sarcasm, for example when you run into someone you were trying to avoid.
In a conversation
- Lucas
- Priya
- Lucas
- Priya
- Lucas
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Check yourself
Practice · 3 min
Listen, then say each line with pleased surprise. The stress falls on "small", and the voice lifts at "world".
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.