unworldly

adjective

un·​world·​ly ˌən-ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē 

-ˈwərl-lē

1

: not of this world : unearthly

an almost unworldly, primeval green valley …

—Dewey Schurman

specifically : spiritual

2

a

: not wise in the ways of the world : naive

unworldly young graduates seeking their first jobs

b

: not swayed by mundane considerations

… was unworldly, and did not greatly miss worldly rewards …

—Sheldon Cheney

unworldliness

ˌən-ˈwərl(d)-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unworldly

• naive
• innocent
• simple
• inexperienced

Examples of unworldly in a Sentence

the unworldly beauty of the Grand Canyon

the guy's unworldly enough to think that any stranger who would approach him on a city street is simply trying to help him

Recent Examples on the Web

Internationally, however, the film’s distribution prospects rest largely on Cotillard, also burdened with the heaviest dramatic lifting to do as the stricken, unworldly protagonist who bridges the film’s two improbably connected realms. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 May 2026

Channels the inner, bestial urges to release an unworldly howl that pushes back any nearby enemies. — Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

He is known for pioneering overuse of the Auto-Tune effect, giving his vocals an unworldly quality. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025

The movie then flashes back to reveal the unworldly events of the day before. — Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unworldly

• otherworldly
• worldly

Kids Definition

unworldly

adjective

un·​world·​ly ˌən-ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē 

-ˈwərl-lē, 

ˈən-

1

: not of this world

especially : spiritual entry 1 sense 1

2

: not wise in the ways of the world : unsophisticated

unworldliness

-ˈwərl-(d)lē-nəs 

noun