What does "earthly" mean?
That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being.
Earthly
adj, adv, noun, slang
adj, adv, noun, slang ·2 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being.
- Grammar: earthly is listed as adj, adv, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: base, bodily, bonded to earth, carnal.
- Useful contrasts: supernal, ancient deity, angelic.
- Usage evidence: Your plan is of no earthly use.
How to use "earthly"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "earthly" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "earthly" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "earthly" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "earthly" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "earthly" is acting as adj, adv, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "base" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "earthly", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being. collective, in-plural
"He claims that the book directs the believer to let go of the earthly and await God's kingdom in the heavenly."
- 2 A slightest chance (of success etc.) or idea (about something). UK, colloquial
"He arched his eyebrows over the summons. "The poor devil has not an earthly!" said he. "He's lucky to have a summons. Usually they act on a warrant.""
Adjective
- 1 Relating to the earth or this world, as opposed to heaven; terrestrial.
"earthly joys"
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of earthly (“relating to the Earth”). alt-of
"Except at Trenco’s very poles there is not a spot in which or a time at which an Earthly gale would not constitute a dead calm; […] The wind was now scarcely more than an Earthly hurricane; […] its smaller stars, brilliant to Earthly eyes only because of their nearness, would be dimmer, perhaps invisible; […]"
- 3 Used for emphasis informal, negative
"The pressures of politics and war seem remote on this lovely stretch of California coastline, but last week there was no earthly way to avoid them."
- 4 Made of earth; earthy. obsolete
"We have this[…]treasure in frail, brittle, and earthly vessels."
Adjective
- 1 of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven wordnet
Adverb
- 1 in an earthly manner.
"But earthlyer happy is the roſe diſtild, / Then that, vvhich, vvithering on the virgin thorne, / Grovves, liues, and dies, in ſingle bleſſedneſſe."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Your plan is of no earthly use."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "earthly"?
Common synonyms include: base, bodily, bonded to earth, carnal, carnal-minded, conceivable.
How do you use "earthly" in a sentence?
Your plan is of no earthly use.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth + -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).
Etymology 2
By surface analysis, Earth + -ly.