fleshly

[ flesh-lee ]

adjective

, flesh·li·er, flesh·li·est.

1. of or relating to the flesh or body; bodily, corporeal, or physical.
2. carnal; sensual:

   fleshly pleasures.

3. worldly, rather than spiritual.
4. having a sensuous quality:

   the fleshly poetry of the 17th century.

5. Obsolete. having much flesh; fleshy.

fleshly

/ ˈflɛʃlɪ /

adjective

1. relating to the body, esp its sensual nature; carnal

   fleshly desire

2. worldly as opposed to spiritual
3. fleshy; fat

Derived Forms

• ˈfleshliness, noun

Other Words From

• fleshli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleshly¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English flǣsclic. See flesh, -ly

Synonym Study

See carnal.

Example Sentences

He denied ever having an affair on the website and said, “The account was opened out of pure fleshly desires and out of simple curiosity.”

From Salon

In early Christianity, spiritual warfare meant one was to resist the Devil by engaging in forms of ascetic behavior, mastering fleshly desires, and cultivating Christian virtues like humility, self-control, and love of enemies.

From Salon

Two weeks prior to “Subspace Rhapsody,” they aired a crossover with the animated spinoff “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” in which cartoon characters became flesh and fleshly characters cartoons.

From Los Angeles Times

Remember that when you glimpse this episode's shocking coda featuring a threesome that involves only two fleshly bodies.

From Salon

It is almost a renunciation, as if we could cede the part of ourselves that relies on fleshly sustenance so that only the essential remains.

From New York Times