WORLDLY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Worldly

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/wˈərldli/ Listen

adjective

Worldly adj.

Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly actions. "I thus neglecting worldly ends." "Many years it hath continued, standing by no other worldly mean but that one only hand which erected it."

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."

Lay, as opposed to clerical. (Obs.)

adverb

Worldly adv. With relation to this life; in a worldly manner. "Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek."

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Etymology of 'Worldly'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Worldly" Quotes from Famous Books

... is just at hand, and that is imperishable as well as undefiled and unfading. This blessing is ours henceforth and forever, although we do not now behold it. These are powerful and excellent words; into whosesoever mind they enter, he will, I imagine, not be greatly anxious after worldly good and pleasure. How can it be possible that one who assuredly believes this, should yet cleave ...

— The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained • Martin Luther

... they have "made themselves." What delight to be aware that one has not only created one's work, but the worker! What elation in the remembrance of the battle against a commercial, or a scientific, or a worldly and superficial heredity; in the recollection of the tug with habit and education, and the overthrow of impulses setting in other directions than the chosen movement of ...

— McClure's Magazine December, 1895 • Edited by Ida M. Tarbell

... these worldly-wise young things of this the third year of our Prohibition are not necessarily less virtuous technically than their own crinolined grandmothers. Only these days they are not ...

— Nonsenseorship • G. G. Putnam

... worldly-wise, he might have suspected that this vehemence had root in something beside filial love, but Billy was never one to question a gift from God. Whenever his simple soul, chastened by suffering and earnest endeavor, took courage, he always thanked heaven ...

— Janet of the Dunes • Harriet T. Comstock

... greatest happiness, that a man be always blithe in this present life, and fulfil all his lusts. Some, indeed, who desire these riches, are desirous thereof, because they would have the greater power, that they may the more securely enjoy these worldly lusts, and also the riches. Many there are of those who desire power because they would gather overmuch money; or, again, they are desirous to spread the ...

— The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)--Continental Europe I • Various

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