earthly
UK: ˈɜːθli | US: ˈɜːrθli
adj. relating to the earth or material world (as opposed to spiritual or heavenly)
adj. ordinary or mundane; lacking transcendence
The word "earthly" combines "earth," derived from Old English "eorþe" (meaning soil, ground, or the planet), with the suffix "-ly," which turns nouns into adjectives. Originally, "earth" referred to the physical world beneath the heavens, and "-ly" (from Old English "-lic") denoted "having the qualities of." Over time, "earthly" evolved to describe things tied to the material world, often contrasting with the divine or eternal.
His ambitions were purely earthly, focused on wealth and power.
The monk renounced all earthly possessions to seek spiritual enlightenment.
The beauty of nature reminds us of both earthly and heavenly wonders.
She found earthly pleasures trivial compared to her artistic pursuits.
The poem contrasts earthly suffering with the promise of eternal peace.