WORLDLY

blase, worldly

(adjective) very sophisticated especially because of surfeit; versed in the ways of the world; “the blase traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as ‘the pond’”; “the benefits of his worldly wisdom”

worldly, secular, temporal

(adjective) characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world; “worldly goods and advancement”; “temporal possessions of the church”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

worldly (comparative worldlier or more worldly, superlative worldliest or most worldly)

Concerned with human or earthly matters, physical as opposed to spiritual.

Synonyms: material, mundane, sublunar

Antonyms: otherworldly, spiritual

Concerned with secular rather than sacred matters.

Synonyms: lay, profane

Antonyms: clerical, religious, sacred

Sophisticated, especially because of surfeit; versed in the ways of the world.

Synonyms: sophisticated, street-smart

Antonym: naive

Adverb

worldly (comparative more worldly, superlative most worldly)

In a worldly manner.

Source: Wiktionary


World"ly, a. Etym: [AS. woroldlic.]

1. Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly actions. "I thus neglecting worldly ends." Shak. Many years it hath continued, standing by no other worldly mean but that one only hand which erected it. Hooker.

2. Pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction from the life to come; secular; temporal; devoted to this life and its enjoyments; bent on gain; as, worldly pleasures, affections, honor, lusts, men. With his soul fled all my worldly solace. Shak.

3. Lay, as opposed to clerical. [Obs.] Chaucer.

World"ly, adv.

Definition: With relation to this life; in a worldly manner. Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek. Milton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

2 May 2024

BEQUEATH

(verb) leave or give by will after one’s death; “My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry”; “My grandfather left me his entire estate”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

As of 2019, Starbucks opens a new store every 15 hours in China. The coffee chain has grown by 700% over the past decade.

coffee icon