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

But not before establishing his recognizably earthbound virtuosity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

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 • Jun. 23, 2025

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

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2024

With a normal earthbound telescope, one can only see the Serpens constellation in the northern part of the celestial hemisphere.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024

Unlike the suffering, earthbound Christs depicted at eye level on the church walls, our Christ Pantocrator was clearly transcendent, all-powerful, heaven- bestriding.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• dreary
• humdrum
• lackluster
• mundane