always used before a noun
1
: having to do with life on the Earth
earthly joys/delights/pleasures
our earthly existence
2
: imaginable or possible
—used to make a question or a negative statement more forceful
What earthly [=possible, conceivable] good could it do him?
There is no earthly reason [=there is no reason on earth; there is no reason at all] for feeling that way.
Cite this Entry
“Earthly.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/earthly. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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