worldly

UK: /ˈwɜː^rldli/ US: /ˈwɝldli/ ,(wûrld′lē)

Inflections of 'worldly' (adj):

worldlier

adj comparative

worldliest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

world•ly /ˈwɜrldli/   adj., -li•er, -li•est. 

1. of or concerned with this world rather than heaven, an afterlife, or spiritual life in general.
2. of or relating to material things:
   lost all their worldly goods in the flood.
3. experienced;
   sophisticated:
   a worldly diplomat and traveler.

world•li•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

world•ly  (wûrld′lē), adj., -li•er, -li•est, adv. 
adj. 

1. of or pertaining to this world as contrasted with heaven, spiritual life, etc.;
   earthly;
   mundane.
2. experienced;
   knowing;
   sophisticated:
   the benefits of his worldly wisdom.
3. devoted to, directed toward, or connected with the affairs, interests, or pleasures of this world.
4. of or pertaining to the people or laity;
   secular;
   neither ecclesiastical nor religious.
5. [Obs.] of, pertaining to, or existing on earth.

adv. 

6. in a worldly manner (archaic except in combination):
   worldly-wise; worldly-minded.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English wor(u)ldlīc. See world, -ly

world′li•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. temporal. See earthly. 
• 2. urbane, cosmopolitan.

Antonyms

• 1. spiritual.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

worldly / ˈwɜːldlɪ/ adjective ( -lier, -liest)

1. not spiritual; mundane or temporal
2. Also: worldly-minded absorbed in or concerned with material things or matters that are immediately relevant
3. Also: worldly-wise versed in the ways of the world; sophisticated

ˈworldliness noun