worldly
Meaning
concerned with material values or ordinary life rather than spiritual or religious matters
experienced and sophisticated; not naive
Structure
Usage
he abandoned his worldly possessions to live a monastic life.
her worldly wisdom was evident in the way she handled the complex negotiation.
the novel contrasts the spiritual aspirations of the priest with the worldly ambitions of the merchant.
Etymology
The word 'worldly' is a native English formation, built from the Old English noun 'woruld' and the adjectival suffix '-lic'. The Old English 'woruld' itself has Germanic origins, related to Old High German 'weralt', and is a compound of elements meaning 'age of man'. Its core sense has always pertained to human life and existence on earth. By adding the suffix '-lic' (modern '-ly'), the word transforms the noun into an adjective describing the qualities associated with the secular world. Over time, 'worldly' developed its dual meaning: first, as a contrast to the spiritual or religious domain, and later, as a term for the sophistication gained through broad experience in human affairs.
Analysis
world: from old english 'woruld', meaning 'human existence, the affairs of life'. in this compound, it functions as the base noun denoting the secular, material realm. ly: from old english '-lic', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'having the qualities of'. it functions as a derivational suffix creating an adjective from a noun.