earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

1

a

: characteristic of or belonging to this earth

b

: relating to the human race's actual life on this earth

2

: possible

of what earthly use is it?

earthliness noun

Synonyms

• carnal
• earthborn
• earthbound
• fleshly
• material
• mundane
• sublunary
• temporal
• terrene
• terrestrial
• worldly

Choose the Right Synonym for earthly

earthly, worldly, mundane mean belonging to or characteristic of the earth.

earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification

worldly goods

and mundane suggesting reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

Examples of earthly in a Sentence

a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits

Recent Examples on the Web

How has Max died and why is his spirit anchored on the earthly plane? —Marie-Helene Bertino, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

That’s an awful lot of earthly real estate, but when the asteroid becomes visible again and draws closer to us, a much more precise ground-zero could be determined. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Another Rapid Event | Dir. Daniel Murphy; 2024; USA; 8 min Radiant energy beams down from the sun, enabling telegraph operators to communicate warbling, earthly messages etched in tree rings. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025

In Shinto belief, spirits—kami—are not only connected to the shrines constructed in their honor, but also linked to objects, landscapes, and other earthly phenomena. —Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

earthly

adjective

earth·​ly ˈərth-lē 

1

: belonging to or having to do with the earth

earthly joys

2

: imaginable, possible

that tool is of no earthly use

earthliness noun