worldly

[ wurld-lee ]

adjective

worldlier, worldliest.

1. of or relating to this world as contrasted with heaven, spiritual life, etc.; earthly; mundane.

   Synonyms: temporal

   Antonyms: spiritual

2. experienced; knowing; sophisticated:

   the benefits of his worldly wisdom.

   Synonyms: cosmopolitan, urbane

3. devoted to, directed toward, or connected with the affairs, interests, or pleasures of this world.
4. of or relating to the people or laity; secular; neither ecclesiastical nor religious.
5. Obsolete. of, relating to, or existing on earth.

adverb

1. in a worldly manner (archaic except in combination):

   worldly-wise; worldly-minded.

worldly

/ ˈwɜːldlɪ /

adjective

1. not spiritual; mundane or temporal
2. Alsoworldly-minded absorbed in or concerned with material things or matters that are immediately relevant
3. Alsoworldly-wise versed in the ways of the world; sophisticated
4. archaic.
   existing on or relating to the earth
5. obsolete.
   secular; lay

adverb

1. archaic.
   in a worldly manner

Derived Forms

• ˈworldliness, noun

Other Word Forms

• worldli·ness noun
• pre·worldli·ness noun
• pre·worldly adjective
• super·worldli·ness noun
• super·worldly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of worldly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English wor(u)ldlīc. See world, -ly

Synonym Study

See earthly.

Example Sentences

But there's no denying that this explosively popular podcast has also produced worldly accomplishments for its hosts.

From Salon

The Bible casts the double-minded man as insecure in his faith, divided between divine direction and worldly distraction.

From Salon

“What a beautiful love story coming to its worldly conclusion,” said one comment posted Thursday by a fan whose private Instagram account said her name is Sarah Lewis.

From Los Angeles Times

Hear Morgan Freeman’s name and you immediately think worldly wisdom and genial gravitas.

From Los Angeles Times

Penfolds refers to these blends as "wine of the world", and says that they "possess an otherness that can best be described as worldly".

From BBC

Related Words

• earthly
• earthy
• mundane
• practical
• secular
• temporal