worldly-wise
[wurld-lee-wahyz]
- wise as to the affairs of this world.
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for worldly-wise
Historical Examples
Percolation is a slow process in the hard head of the worldly-wise.
Waiting for DaylightHenry Major Tomlinson
Then this by Hogarth is entirely wise and right; but worldly-wise, not divine.
Ariadne FlorentinaJohn Ruskin
Johnny seemed much more expert and worldly-wise than either of us.
On the StairsHenry B. Fuller
They were all dirty and ragged, and the faces of many were old and worldly-wise.
Most of these worldly-wise counsels were not given directly to Jennie.
Jennie GerhardtTheodore Dreiser