worldling

[ wurld-ling ]

noun

1. a person devoted to the interests and pleasures of this world; a worldly person:

   Those who sought money and treasures were indiscriminately classed as worldlings and apostates.

worldling

/ ˈwɜːldlɪŋ /

noun

1. a person who is primarily concerned with worldly matters or material things

Word History and Origins

Origin of worldling¹

First recorded in 1540–50; world + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

Ambitious men caught glimpses of nobler ambitions than their own, and even worldlings confessed that his beliefs were beautiful and true, although ‘they wouldn’t pay’.

From Literature

As Wilson writes, “While worldlings were living as though there was no tomorrow, fanatical preachers were warning that there was a tomorrow — the day of God’s fearsome judgement.”

From Washington Post

I had lived my adulthood as a postmodern man, a worldling of the coasts and cities.

From Wall Street Journal

Art worldlings who harbor resentments against Conceptualism and the necessity of reading labels to understand art will find Broodthaers a trial.

From New York Times

And do you still use the oaths of worldlings, as you did just now?

From Project Gutenberg