fleshly

American  

[flesh-lee] / ˈflɛʃ li /

adjective

fleshlier, fleshliest

1. of or relating to the flesh or body; bodily, corporeal, or physical.

2. carnal; sensual.

   fleshly pleasures.

3. worldly, rather than spiritual.

4. having a sensuous quality.

   the fleshly poetry of the 17th century.

5. Obsolete. having much flesh; fleshy.

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fleshly British  

/ ˈflɛʃlɪ /

adjective

1. relating to the body, esp its sensual nature; carnal

   fleshly desire

2. worldly as opposed to spiritual

3. fleshy; fat

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Related Words

See carnal.

Other Word Forms

• fleshliness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fleshly

before 900; Middle English; Old English flǣsclic. See flesh, -ly

Example Sentences

In early Christianity, spiritual warfare meant one was to resist the Devil by engaging in forms of ascetic behavior, mastering fleshly desires, and cultivating Christian virtues like humility, self-control, and love of enemies.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2024

Two weeks prior to “Subspace Rhapsody,” they aired a crossover with the animated spinoff “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” in which cartoon characters became flesh and fleshly characters cartoons.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

“There were some fleshly remains and the odor was so foul,” the villager said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2021

Which books, if you will, felt almost literally fleshly; which books had, in theory at least, taken on corporeal dimensions?

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2020

Why must first these fleshly statues into which our spirits are chained move towards and touch each other, before the beings disguised therein can imagine and love each other?

From Hesperus or Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days Vol. I. A Biography by Jean Paul