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

• 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

Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques — these worldly shells stand as evidence of New York’s long history of diversity and change. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025

Dwayne Keith Project, a Hartford act fusing gospel, jazz and hip-hop. 8:30 to 10 p.m.: Khruangbin, the worldly psychedelic soul/rock/dub/pop trio from Houston, Texas. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025

But the family itself makes a lot of worldly noise. —Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025

However, new research suggests our relationships don’t have to be collateral damage in the midst of worldly chaos. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

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