earthbound

¹ American  

[urth-bound] / ˈɜrθˌbaʊnd /

Or earth-bound

adjective

1. headed for the earth.

   an earthbound meteorite.

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earthbound ² 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 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 1930–35; earth + -bound ²

Origin of earthbound¹

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

Example Sentences

As the trees break off or fall, the downed logs become food and cover for earthbound species and eventually decay into nutrients in the soil.

From Los Angeles Times

Its opening poem, “Digging,” feels earthbound with its low-pitched vowels: “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The way they transformed into such airy, weightless beings while dancing, when offstage they were all earthbound muscle and sweaty concentration!

From Literature

Sparks is a master of the “earthbound” love story like “The Notebook,” while Shyamalan, the Oscar-nominated director of “The Sixth Sense,” is known for his fascination with the supernatural.

From Los Angeles Times

Aliens may have embraced Elio, but earthbound audiences did not, marking the lowest opening weekend ever for a Pixar film and highlighting the challenges for original animated movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dreary
• humdrum
• lackluster
• mundane