worldly

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adjective world·ly \ ˈwər(-ə)ld-lē , ˈwərl-lē \

Definition of worldly

1 :of, relating to, or devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion or spiritual affairs

2 :worldly-wise

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worldliness

noun

See worldly defined for English-language learners

See worldly defined for kids

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 of worldly from the Web

Taking our worldly problems out of this world allows us to relax and entertain new ideas: after all, these are aliens and sorcerers, not actual human leaders and ethnic groups.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Four book series that are shaping the future of science fiction on television," 19 Aug. 2017
This 17th-century German Jesuit father, friend of the pope, Borromini, and Galileo, amassed an extraordinary collection of worldly souvenirs brought back to Italy by Jesuit missionaries: a stuffed armadillo, magic lanterns, Egyptian obelisks.

— sophy roberts, CNT, "Rent This 17th-Century Roman Palazzo Designed by Vatican Artists," 17 Aug. 2017
The universe has played a dark card — and that card is a trump card, for Tijuana, quick with arguments for worldly ways, has no answer to the riddle of the universe.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Solar eclipse in San Diego opened the window for Sun's Pulitzer," 17 Aug. 2017
That wasn’t the point, which was to find DPP during my worldly travels.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: In search of the perfect swing," 13 Aug. 2017
Of course, aren’t these concerns all a bit worldly for something that should be a matter of the spirit, not economic statistics?

— bryan walsh, Time, "Does Spirituality Make You Happy?," 7 Aug. 2017
GQ caught up with the worldly Aoki—whose new album Kolony drops July 21—about competing with other DJs, his favorite hotel in the world, and much more.

— rohan nadkarni, GQ, "Travel Advice from Steve Aoki, Who Throws Cake at 2,500 People a Year," 7 July 2017
Their other-worldly rates from last year have fallen, from first to seventh in defensive efficiency (down 31 percentage points) and from first to fifth in batting average on balls in play (down 31 points).

— tom verducci, SI.com, "Mid-Year Report: Aaron Judge shines, Cubs flail in homer-happy first half of 2017 season," 5 July 2017
Ever since Anne Rice resurrected the vampire legend with purple-prose portraits of the suave and worldly undead, Dracula & Co. have been portrayed as thoughtful characters with lots of style.

— david hammond, chicagotribune.com, "Drink This: Interview with the (bartender who makes) vampire (cocktails) at La Sirena Clandestina," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'worldly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of worldly

before 12th century

worldly Synonyms

Synonyms

cosmopolitan, smart, sophisticated, worldly–wise

Synonym Discussion of 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

WORLDLY Defined for English Language Learners

worldly

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adjective

Definition of worldly for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the human world and ordinary life rather than to religious or spiritual matters
: having a lot of practical experience and knowledge about life and the world