unworldly

[ uhn-wurld-lee ]

adjective

1. not worldly; not seeking material advantage; spiritually minded.
2. naive; unsophisticated; provincial.
3. not terrestrial; unearthly.

unworldly

/ ʌnˈwɜːldlɪ /

adjective

1. not concerned with material values or pursuits
2. lacking sophistication; naive
3. not of this earth or world

Derived Forms

• unˈworldliness, noun

Other Words From

• un·worldli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unworldly¹

First recorded in 1700–10; un- ¹ + worldly

Example Sentences

Only the unworldly could still think this was, at its worst, only an unseemly platonic relationship rather than a serious bonding.

From The Daily Beast

McIlvain lays bare the curious culture of these uniquely unworldly young men.

From The Daily Beast

When she arrived at the academy, Fernandez was 17 and, Sousa told me, a shy, unworldly country girl.

From The Daily Beast

Those people had been right who had called Sir Denis unworldly.

From Project Gutenberg

I am ashamed that for one moment I doubted your innocent, unworldly heart.

From Project Gutenberg

The sisters were strict in their observances, and gave a good pattern of the unworldly life, which attracted Ellenbog strongly.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, I've known her from a child, and a more unworldly creature never breathed.

From Project Gutenberg

He was an austere man, and had the reputation of being singularly unworldly, for a river man.

From Project Gutenberg