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worldling

American  
[wurld-ling] / ˈwɜrld lɪŋ /

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 British  
/ ˈwɜːldlɪŋ /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of worldling

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2016

Burgess Meredith proves himself the most accomplished of young U. S. actors, neatly running the gamut of middle age and youth, inspired duffer and embittered worldling.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is Andrew Cruickshank's worldling Warwick and, even more, John Buckmaster's weakling Dauphin, that come closest to doing Shaw justice.

From Time Magazine Archive

This is a troublesome task, for Becket's abrupt shift from worldling to ascetic, from Henry's helpful administrator to his hostile priest, needs probing; indeed, the whole unsimple man who suddenly found God needs probing.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I am still a worldling, dear good Margaretha!" continued Ulrica, with child-like simplicity.

From King Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 1 or, the Throne, the Church, and the People in the Thirteenth Century. Vol. I. by Ingemann, Bernhard Severin

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