worldly
WURLD-lee
Worldly (adj) means Concerned with material or practical life rather than spiritual matters. Example: “He gave up his worldly possessions to join the monastery.”
adj
1
Concerned with material or practical life rather than spiritual matters.
"He gave up his worldly possessions to join the monastery."
2
Experienced and sophisticated about life, especially through travel or exposure to many cultures.
"She had a worldly air after years of living abroad."
How to use worldly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither about material/earthly life (as opposed to spiritual), or sophisticated and well-traveled.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
worldly possessions
worldly wise
a worldly person
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Word forms
- Comparative
- worldlier, more worldly
- Superlative
- worldliest, most worldly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave up his _____ possessions to join the monastery.
Etymology
From Old English "woruldlīċ," combining "world" with the adjective ending "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for worldly
See all rhymes for worldly →Frequently asked questions
What does “worldly” mean?
The word “worldly” means concerned with material or practical life rather than spiritual matters. In plain terms, either about material/earthly life (as opposed to spiritual), or sophisticated and well-traveled.
How do you pronounce “worldly”?
“Worldly” is pronounced WURLD-lee (/ˈwɜː(ɹ)ldli/ in IPA).
How do you use “worldly” in a sentence?
Here is “worldly” used in a sentence: “He gave up his worldly possessions to join the monastery.”
What part of speech is “worldly”?
“Worldly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “worldly” come from?
The word “worldly” comes from Old English. From Old English "woruldlīċ," combining "world" with the adjective ending "-ly.".
Is “worldly” a common word?
“Worldly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “worldly” have?
“Worldly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: concerned with material or practical life rather than spiritual matters.
