worldly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
    secular; temporal.
    • worldly goods and advancement
    • temporal possessions of the church
  2. adjective satellite very sophisticated especially because of surfeit; versed in the ways of the world
    blase.
    • the blase traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as `the pond'
    • the benefits of his worldly wisdom

WordNet


World"ly adjective
Etymology
AS. woroldlic.
Definitions
  1. Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly actions. "I thus neglecting worldly ends." Shak.
    Many years it hath continued, standing by no other worldly mean but that one only hand which erected it. Hooker.
  2. 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.
    With his soul fled all my worldly solace. Shak.
  3. Lay, as opposed to clerical. Obs. Chaucer.
World"ly adverb
Definitions
  1. With relation to this life; in a worldly manner.
    Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek. Milton.

Webster 1913