worldly

[ wurld-lee ]

/ ˈwɜrld li /

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adjective, world·li·er, world·li·est.

of or relating to this world as contrasted with heaven, spiritual life, etc.; earthly; mundane.

experienced; knowing; sophisticated: the benefits of his worldly wisdom.

devoted to, directed toward, or connected with the affairs, interests, or pleasures of this world.

of or relating to the people or laity; secular; neither ecclesiastical nor religious.

Obsolete. of, relating to, or existing on earth.

adverb

in a worldly manner (archaic except in combination): worldly-wise; worldly-minded.

Nearby words

world-view, world-weary, worldbeater, worldline, worldling, worldly, worldly-minded, worldly-wise, worldwide, worm, worm conveyor

Origin of worldly

before 900; Middle English; Old English wor(u)ldlīc. See world, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR worldly

1 temporal. See earthly.

2 urbane, cosmopolitan.

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ANTONYMS FOR worldly

1 spiritual.

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Related forms

world·li·ness, nounpre·world·li·ness, nounpre·world·ly, adjectivesu·per·world·li·ness, noun

su·per·world·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for worldliness

Michelle King: But her worldliness or pragmatism, it's not as though it's being led by what Peter and his campaign are doing.
‘The Good Wife’: Creators Robert and Michelle King on the Season Finale, Alicia and Kalinda, and More|Jace Lacob|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carl is repaid for his worldliness with failure and ignominy.
American Dreams: ‘O Pioneers!’ by Willa Cather|Nathaniel Rich|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But there is one place where judging Almodóvar objectively is not seen as an affront to worldliness: Spain.
Is Pedro Almodóvar a Fraud?|Constantino Diaz-Duran|January 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
There is a dash of worldliness about us both from which your more ethereal composition is happily free.
The Bertrams|Anthony Trollope

The spirit of worldliness in its true and worst sense did not possess her; did not even touch her.
Catholic World, Vol. XIII, April to September, 1871|Various
Thou wilt no doubt find her head full of vagaries and worldliness.
A Little Girl in Old Philadelphia|Amanda Minnie Douglas
It was the gray Dunkard dress—the concession to her uncle's beliefs on worldliness.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Phebe's direct and simple nature, free from all guile and worldliness, had made her a perfect sympathizer with any true feeling.
Cobwebs and Cables|Hesba Stretton

British Dictionary definitions for worldliness

worldly

/ (ˈwɜːldlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

not spiritual; mundane or temporal

Also: worldly-minded absorbed in or concerned with material things or matters that are immediately relevant

Also: worldly-wise versed in the ways of the world; sophisticated

archaic existing on or relating to the earth

obsolete secular; lay

adverb

archaic in a worldly manner

Derived Forms

worldliness, noun

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