Earthly
/ˈɜːrθli/
Definitions
2 meaningsBelonging to or existing on earth; mundane and not heavenly or spiritual.
/ˈɜːrθli/
Relating to or characteristic of the earth or human life on earth.
We must take care of our earthly home, the planet Earth.
💡 Simply: Earthly means something is connected to our planet, like the stuff around us, not magic or space stuff. Imagine a beautiful garden—that's an earthly place!
👶 For kids: Like things on Earth! Not things in space or in dreams.
More Examples
The artist captured the earthly beauty of the rolling hills.
He found earthly pleasures in simple activities like gardening.
How It's Used
"The earthly realm is a place of both joy and sorrow."
"The poet described the earthly beauty of the landscape."
Concerned with the physical or material world rather than the spiritual one.
/ˈɜːrθli/
Relating to the material world; not spiritual.
He focused on earthly gains rather than spiritual fulfillment.
💡 Simply: It's about the things we can touch, see, and buy, like a car or a pizza, not something like faith or feelings. If your birthday wish is for a new bike—that's an earthly desire!
👶 For kids: About things that are not magic or dreams, but things you can touch and play with.
More Examples
She found joy in the simple, earthly pleasures of gardening.
The philosopher questioned the importance of earthly possessions.
How It's Used
"He abandoned his earthly possessions to pursue a life of enlightenment."
"The sermon focused on the contrast between earthly desires and spiritual goals."
Idioms & expressions
down to earth
Practical and realistic.
"She is a very down-to-earth person; she's easy to talk to."
earthly remains
The body of a dead person.
"The earthly remains of the king were buried with great ceremony."
earthly possessions
Material belongings; things owned in this world.
"He gave up his earthly possessions to become a monk."
From Middle English *erthely, erthly*, equivalent to *earth* + *-ly*. Related to Old English *eorþlīċ*.
Used since Old English, evolving from references to the physical world to encompass the material aspects of human life and not heavenly or spiritual things.
Memory tip
Think of things made of EARTH, like soil or rocks, and the L-Y ending signifying 'like' or 'characteristic of'.
Word Origin
"earth"