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Earthling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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earthling

earth-ling

🇺🇸 /ˈɝθɫɪŋ/ · 🇬🇧 /ˈɜːθlɪŋ/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in science fiction

A human inhabitant of the planet Earth.

Examples of usage

  • He was the only Earthling on the spaceship.
  • The Earthling looked up at the alien spacecraft in wonder.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A person from Earth, especially when considered in relation to inhabitants of other planets.

Examples of usage

  • The Earthling marveled at the technology of the extraterrestrial beings.
  • She felt like a tiny Earthling in a vast universe.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “earthling”

Earthling is a 2-syllable noun (earth-ling). It is pronounced /ˈɝθɫɪŋ/ in American English and /ˈɜːθlɪŋ/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #40,761 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“earthling” in pop culture

  • In science fiction, earthlings often represent humans as seen from the perspective of aliens, highlighting our uniqueness in the universe.
  • Movies like 'Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas' playfully use the term to differentiate humans from fictional extraterrestrial characters.

“earthling” in science

  • In astronomy, earthlings refer specifically to humans, emphasizing our biological and environmental connections to Earth.
  • Earth's unique atmosphere and conditions make it home to billions of earthlings, unlike any other known planet.

“earthling” in literature

  • In science fiction literature, earthlings are often depicted in stories involving interstellar travel, exploring themes of humanity's place in the cosmos.
  • Authors like Douglas Adams in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' humorously represent earthlings as quirky and often oblivious to their surroundings.

“earthling” in psychology

  • The term evokes discussions about identity and the human experience, especially when considering what it means to be from Earth.
  • Earthlings might symbolize a collective consciousness, urging humans to unite in caring for the planet.

Origin of 'earthling'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'earthling' combines 'Earth', which derives from Old English 'eorþe', meaning ground or soil, and 'ling', a suffix used to denote someone belonging to.
  • The word appeared in literature as early as the 19th century, emphasizing a connection to the planet in a whimsical way.

The term 'Earthling' originated in science fiction literature in the mid-20th century to refer to humans as inhabitants of the planet Earth. It is a combination of 'Earth' and the suffix '-ling,' which denotes a person belonging to a particular place or group. The concept of Earthlings has since been popularized in popular culture, especially in the context of space exploration and encounters with extraterrestrial beings.

See also: earth, earthen, earthenware, earthing, earthly, earthmover, earthquake, earthworm, earthy, unearth, unearthing.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,761, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.