earthbound

¹ American  

[urth-bound] / ˈɜrθˌbaʊnd /

Or earth-bound

adjective

1. firmly set in or attached to the earth.

2. limited to the earth or its surface.

3. having only earthly interests.

4. lacking in imagination or sophistication.

   earthbound prose.

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earthbound ² American  

[urth-bound] / ˈɜrθˌbaʊnd /

Or earth-bound

adjective

1. headed for the earth.

   an earthbound meteorite.

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earthbound British  

/ ˈɜːθˌbaʊnd /

adjective

1. confined to the earth

2. lacking in imagination; pedestrian or dull

3. moving or heading towards the earth

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Etymology

Origin of earthbound¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; earth + -bound ¹

Origin of earthbound²

First recorded in 1930–35; earth + -bound ²

Example Sentences

For now, the company’s data center ambitions are earthbound, and operating them is very resource-intensive.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

In the race for space, Musk wants investor attention on the stars—not earthbound pursuits.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

The film’s earthbound sequences boast staggeringly beautiful shots of the ocean under a night sky.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

Evolution had usually been thought of in reference to earthbound processes.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2024

The Specters seemed to be earthbound, without the power of flight, luckily for the witches.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• dreary
• humdrum
• lackluster
• mundane