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Definition of "worldly" []

  • Of, relating to, or devoted to the temporal world. (adjective)
  • Experienced in human affairs; sophisticated or worldly-wise: "an experienced and worldly man who had been almost everywhere” ( Willa Cather). (adjective)
  • In a worldly manner. (adverb)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "worldly" in a sentence
  • "The worldly mother who plans for the advancement of a family, and sacrifices solid enjoyments for a splendid alliance, is only _worldly_ wise, yet in that manoeuvring and worldly prudence there is the exercise of a self-control which raises her above the mere giddy pleasure-hunter of the hour; for want of self-control is the weakness of our nature -- to restrain, to wait, to control present feeling with a large foresight, is human strength."
  • "He had been everywhere and had seen everything, and was full of what we call worldly wisdom."
  • "It has proved to be the most wonderful fabric of what we call worldly wisdom that our world has seen, -- controlling kings, dictating laws to ancient monarchies, and binding the souls of millions with a more perfect despotism than Oriental emperors ever sought or dreamed."