worldly

adjective

world·​ly ˈwər(-ə)ld-lē 

ˈwərl-lē

worldlier; worldliest

1

: of, relating to, or devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion or spiritual affairs

worldly possessions/pleasures

Not for wealth, in its vulgar sense, had he ever sighed; not for the enjoyment of rich things had he ever longed; but for the allotted share of worldly bliss which a wife, and children, and happy home could give him …

—Anthony Trollope

Religious fervor, which the crusaders had in spades, did not preclude or even hinder their worldly ambition.

—Stephen O'Shea

2

: possessing or displaying significant experience and knowledge about life and the world : worldly-wise

… a wealthy, fabulously successful gay businesswoman who blows stuff up and dispenses worldly wisdom in equal amounts.

—Piers Marchant

… took the occasion to impart a bit of worldly advice.

—Erich Segal

The essays collected here counterpose two groups of men: "the worldly men" of "covetous ambition," in the words of poet Henry King, and those whom they pushed aside in their scramble to the top.

—Michael S. Kimmel

worldliness noun

Synonyms

• cosmopolitan
• smart
• sophisticated
• worldly-wise

Choose the Right Synonym for worldly

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 worldly in a Sentence

She is more worldly than her younger sister.

she returned from her year as an exchange student a much more worldly person

Recent Examples on the Web

The couple were first romantically linked in 2020 and have publicly documented their relationship, worldly travels and White’s Olympic farewell on their social media pages ever since. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

The following day, Mercury will enter your worldly territory, sparking your curiosity and desire to express yourself more openly. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

At Bennington College, Horowitz wrote fiction under the tutelage of Bernard Malamud and appraised his wealthy, worldly classmates. —Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Expand your worldly connections! —USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing worldly

• this-worldly
• worldly goods
• worldly-minded
• worldly wise

Kids Definition

worldly

adjective

world·​ly ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē 

ˈwərl-lē

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with the affairs of this world rather than with spiritual affairs

2

: worldly-wise

worldliness noun