Earthly: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to something that exists on the Earth or is related to human life on Earth, often contrasted with spiritual or heavenly things.

• He had no earthly desires left, having devoted his life to his faith.
• The scientists focused on earthly phenomena.

Use when referring to anything that is related to the Earth, especially in contrast to things from outer space or water-based life.

• The movie explores the possibility of terrestrial life meeting beings from another planet.
• Terrestrial animals include most mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Use to describe something related to the physical world or human affairs; often has a connotation of being materialistic or concerned with personal gain.

• He abandoned his worldly possessions for a simpler life.
• The book provides tips on achieving both spiritual and worldly success.

Use to describe something that is ordinary, common, or lacking excitement; often associated with everyday tasks or activities.

• Filing taxes is one of the more mundane aspects of adult life.
• She found the routine of office work rather mundane.

Used when talking about things that are physical, material, or related to the Earth rather than spiritual or heavenly matters.

• She had no earthly possessions left.
• In earthly terms, he was very successful.

Used to describe something that is functional, sensible, and oriented toward real-world applications rather than theories or ideas.

• We need a practical solution to this problem.
• Her advice was always very practical.

Used when focusing on situations that are sensible and close to real life, considering actual facts and constraints.

• Be realistic about your goals.
• The movie provides a realistic portrayal of life in the 19th century.

Used when describing an approach that is realistic, based on practical considerations, and focused on what works best in practice. Often used to describe decisions or actions.

• His pragmatic approach helped the company overcome the crisis.
• She is a very pragmatic leader.