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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Throughout the show, bodily and earthly concerns are intertwined; so too are currents of feminism, ecology, and anticolonialism. Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 28 Nov. 2024 Rulers have promised heavenly rewards to quiet demand for earthly justice. Moriah Ratner, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024 Rather than evoke the quirks of vineyard life, A Good Year sets up a crude choice between his cold life back in London or an earthly paradise full of wine and beautiful women. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024 In fact, eternal life didn’t tempt her any more than earthly pleasures did. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for earthly 

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 13 Dec. 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
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