earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē How to pronounce earthly (audio)
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
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 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 In either case, the Clipper will end its voyage with a kamikaze descent to Jupiter's moon Ganymede to prevent any chance of a future uncontrolled crash on Europa that might bring earthly microbes to the moon and its possibly habitable sub-surface environment. William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2024 The resulting music is impressively precise and introspective, grappling with earthly concerns with poise, while also channeling the unexpected, iridescent revelations and comforts of the divine. Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024 The packaging is thoroughly modern, but the message is strikingly similar to the one spread by 19th-century Spiritualists: access to the spirit realm can bring about positive results in the earthly realm. Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for earthly 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earthly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of earthly was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near earthly

Cite this Entry

“Earthly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthly. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

earthly

adjective
earth·​ly ˈərth-lē How to pronounce earthly (audio)
1
: belonging to or having to do with the earth
earthly joys
2
: imaginable, possible
that tool is of no earthly use
earthliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on earthly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!