Worldly
['wɜːldlɪ] or ['wɝldli]
Definition
(adj.) characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world; 'worldly goods and advancement'; 'temporal possessions of the church' .
Editor: Timmy--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly actions.
(a.) Pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction from the life to come; secular; temporal; devoted to this life and its enjoyments; bent on gain; as, worldly pleasures, affections, honor, lusts, men.
(a.) Lay, as opposed to clerical.
(adv.) With relation to this life; in a worldly manner.
Checked by Horatio
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Earthly, mundane, terrestrial, terrene, sublunary, human, common.[2]. Secular, temporal.[3]. Sordid, grovelling, selfish, earth-born, irreligious.
Checked by Abby
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Terrestrial, mundane, temporal, secular, earthly, carnal
ANT:Heavenly, spiritual
Typist: Nathaniel
Examples
- The Lord only gives us our worldly goods that we may do justice and mercy; if our rulers require a price of us for it, we must deliver it up. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Commonplace young ladies can be quite as hard as commonplace young gentlemen--quite as worldly and selfish. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He was worldly, and she, perhaps, romantic. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I saw that in his heart he despised those dedicated to any but worldly idols. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Frederick's worldly position was raised by this marriage on to as high a level as they could desire. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Is that religion which is less scrupulous, less generous, less just, less considerate for man, than even my own ungodly, worldly, blinded nature? Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Worldly wise in hard and poor necessities, she was innocent in all things else. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- This might--let it be repeated--have awakened some little vague mistrust in a man more worldly-wise than the Golden Dustman. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He had managed for me, in my absence, with the soundest judgement; and my worldly affairs were prospering. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Ideas of worldly rule by the Church were already prevalent in the fourth century. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- If all the pupils are little ragamuffins, I'm afraid your crop won't be profitable in a worldly sense, Mrs. Bhaer. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I have studied how best to mortify in them the worldly sentiment of pride; and, only the other day, I had a pleasing proof of my success. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- A contrast indeed to this gay scene of worldly pleasure--but then I have always lived on contrasts! Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Those who are not of this world can do little else to arrest the errors of the obstinately worldly. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- She didn't want Laurie to think her a heartless, worldly creature. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I don't think Granny understands her, or uncle Lovell Mingott either; they really think she's much worldlier and fonder of society than she is. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
Typed by Konrad