worldly-wise

[ wurld-lee-wahyz ]

/ ˈwɜrld liˈwaɪz /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR worldly-wise ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

wise as to the affairs of this world.

Nearby words

worldbeater, worldline, worldling, worldly, worldly-minded, worldly-wise, worldwide, worm, worm conveyor, worm drive, worm fence

Origin of worldly-wise

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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

Examples from the Web for worldly-wise

She was worldly-wise in her way, and thought it best to leave well alone.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Jack looked across the room into the keen, worldly-wise old face.
With Edged Tools|Henry Seton Merriman
Before you grew to be a worldly-wise old lady, and before I had become a cynical old man.
Ainslee's, Vol. 15, No. 6, July 1905|Various
He was worldly-wise enough to suspect that Zen also felt that charm.
Dennison Grant|Robert Stead

They felt, on the whole, older than she was, and worldly-wise in comparison.
Non-combatants and Others|Rose Macaulay