B2adjectiveformalsocietyphilosophy
US/ˈwɜːrld.li/
UK/ˈwɜːld.li/
having a lot of experience of life and different people, or interested in money and pleasure rather than spiritual things
In context
She was a worldly woman who had lived in five different countries.
The monk gave up all his worldly possessions and moved to the mountains.
Young as he was, he seemed far more worldly than his classmates.
Words that go with worldly
adjective + noun
- worldly possessionsHe left with only a few worldly possessions.
- worldly goodsShe gave away all her worldly goods.
- worldly successHe cared little for worldly success.
- worldly pleasuresThe poet turned away from worldly pleasures.
- worldly womanA worldly woman, she was never shocked by anything.
adverb + adjective
- worldly wiseThe old trader was worldly wise and hard to fool.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a worldly famous singerCorrect: a world-famous singer