adj
Uncommon
earthly
UHTH-lee
Earthly (adj) means belonging to this world or life, rather than to heaven or the afterlife. Example: “He gave up his earthly possessions to join the monastery.”
adj
1
Belonging to this world or life, rather than to heaven or the afterlife.
"He gave up his earthly possessions to join the monastery."
"She sought earthly pleasures rather than spiritual ones."
2
Used for emphasis in negative expressions like "no earthly reason."
"There's no earthly reason to be this rude."
How to use earthly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to ordinary life on Earth, as opposed to spiritual or heavenly matters.
Common pairings
earthly possessions
no earthly reason
earthly pleasures
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Word forms
- Plural
- earthlies
- Comparative
- earthlier, more earthly
- Superlative
- earthliest, most earthly
Fill the gap
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He gave up his _____ possessions to join the monastery.
Etymology
From Old English eorþlīċ, from earth plus -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for earthly
See all rhymes for earthly →Frequently asked questions
What does “earthly” mean?
The word “earthly” means belonging to this world or life, rather than to heaven or the afterlife. In plain terms, relating to ordinary life on Earth, as opposed to spiritual or heavenly matters.
How do you pronounce “earthly”?
“Earthly” is pronounced UHTH-lee (/ˈəːθli/ in IPA).
How do you use “earthly” in a sentence?
Here is “earthly” used in a sentence: “He gave up his earthly possessions to join the monastery.”
What part of speech is “earthly”?
“Earthly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “earthly” come from?
The word “earthly” comes from Old English. From Old English eorþlīċ, from earth plus -ly.
Is “earthly” a common word?
“Earthly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “earthly” have?
“Earthly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to this world or life, rather than to heaven or the afterlife.
