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 of worldly

• cosmopolitan
• sophisticated

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

Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux bring a worldly polish to the lakefront, layering diplomacy, design and old European glamour onto the scenery. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Rohmer’s great literary achievement is twofold—artistic success and worldly failure—which gave rise to his cinema of substitute gratifications, second chances, and miraculous redemptions. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

Cricket, a reserved but gifted artist, and Olympia, a slightly older, worldly art connoisseur. — Air Mail, 27 June 2026

All three vicars show a passion not just for ministering to their flock but for helping Geordie solve an unending series of murders and crimes of passion in the sleepy village of Grantchester and the worldly nearby city of Cambridge. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

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

Rhymes for worldly

• otherworldly
• unworldly

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