earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

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

Synonyms of earthly

• temporal
• mundane
• terrestrial
• physical
• animal

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

This was his Leviathan, an earthly sovereign power that humans rationally create to escape the chaos of the state of nature. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026

Sátántangó’s desolate landscapes, dominated by mud, wind, and overcast skies, summoned a vision of earthly purgatory unrivaled in almost all of cinema. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026

The denominations of hell notes can often run to eight figures, though their face value has little bearing on their earthly price, which can be as low as a few cents. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

But although our earthly bodies may be broken and hurting and exhausted and want that break, our hearts and souls are still crying out to God, 'Use me, dear God! —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for earthly

• unearthly

Kids Definition

earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

1

: belonging to or having to do with the earth

earthly joys

2

: imaginable, possible

that tool is of no earthly use

earthliness noun