earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

1

a

: characteristic of or belonging to this earth

b

: relating to the human race's actual life on this earth

2

: possible

of what earthly use is it?

earthliness noun

Synonyms

• carnal
• earthborn
• earthbound
• fleshly
• material
• mundane
• sublunary
• temporal
• terrene
• terrestrial
• worldly

Choose the Right Synonym for earthly

earthly, worldly, mundane mean belonging to or characteristic of the earth.

earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification

worldly goods

and mundane suggesting reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

Examples of earthly in a Sentence

a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits

Recent Examples on the Web

To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024

Otherworldly ambitions, though, can come with earthly costs. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

On the flip side of things (quite literally), the Netherworld occupied by the recently, and not-so-recently, deceased needed to come off as eerie and a place where earthly rules of sound no longer apply. —Josh Weiss, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Spiritualism’s progressive view of the beyond bled into adherents’ outlook on the earthly world and their politics. —Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

1

: belonging to or having to do with the earth

earthly joys

2

: imaginable, possible

that tool is of no earthly use

earthliness noun