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

This new reading revises not only the phrases quoted in the sermon, but also the entire Song of Wade, centering the hero amid worldly dangers rather than mythical beasts. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 18 July 2025

Housed at Doctor Who and Industry producer Bad Wolf, Game of Thrones star Varma and Richard Coyle (Heads of State) are set as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary’s worldly aunt and uncle. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 June 2025

Her work is exceptionally feminine but the mythology and history referenced in her decorative motifs are often much more worldly than femininity is usually understood to imply. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

Morrison is 32 now — older, wiser, a lot more worldly than the kid who got into trouble, ended up in court and left Old Trafford without fulfilling that rare potential. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 6 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