Is it world or international or global English, and does it matter?

This review explores the histories and meanings of, and similarities and contrasts among, three labels for English at large: world English, international English , and global English , first as phrases containing the words world, international , and global , then in terms of their history and use, and how a range of dictionaries has dealt (or failed to deal) with them. The first has been used to mean both standard English and all English; the second refers to the multinational use of English (notably in language teaching); and the third both implies vast use and links the language (often negatively) with socio-economic globalization. Since all three are likely to go on being used, they may need to be handled with care.