worldly
worldly — 形容詞
1. connected with money, possessions, and everyday human concerns, especially when
世俗的
與物質生活相關，非屬靈的
connected with money, possessions, and everyday human concerns, especially when seen as separate from spiritual or religious values.
After years in the monastery, Théo had little interest in worldly possessions.
Théo 在修道院住了多年之後，對世俗的財物已毫無興趣。
collocation: worldly possessions / worldly goods
Mira gave away her worldly goods and moved into a small mountain hut.
Mira 捐出所有世俗財物，搬到一間山間小屋居住。
The relentless pursuit of worldly success left Gabriela feeling strangely empty.
對世俗成功的執著追求，讓 Gabriela 內心感到莫名的空虛。
Jin decided that worldly fame was less important than living an honest life.
Jin 認為世俗的名聲不如過誠實的生活重要。
Darius argued that worldly matters should not overshadow a person's spiritual growth.
Darius 認為世俗之事不應掩蓋一個人的靈性成長。
- material
More neutral; 'material' can simply refer to physical things without the contrast with spirituality
- earthly
Similar meaning but slightly more poetic; 'earthly pleasures' vs 'heavenly rewards'
- secular
Specifically means 'not religious' and is used of institutions, not individuals
- temporal
Very formal; used in philosophy or law to contrast with 'eternal' or 'perpetual'
- spiritual
The most direct antonym; refers to religious or inner life
- otherworldly
Suggests a mysterious or supernatural quality, not just religious
- heavenly
Poetic or religious; associated with divine rather than human concerns
文法句型
worldly + noun
用法筆記
This sense appears most often in discussions that contrast material or everyday concerns with spiritual or religious ones. The subject is typically a person, a value system, or a way of life.
常見錯誤
❗ 'She is very worldly and does not care about religion.' ✅ 'She is very focused on worldly matters and does not care about religion.' — 'Worldly' by itself in this sense is not pejorative; you need a noun like 'matters' or 'concerns' to clarify which sense you mean.
2. showing broad practical understanding of life and human nature, gained through d
老練的
富人生經驗且處事務實的
showing broad practical understanding of life and human nature, gained through direct experience rather than formal education.
Anjali was surprisingly worldly for someone who grew up in a small village.
Anjali 在小村莊長大，為人卻出奇地老練。
be + worldly + for + [noun phrase]
Asher gave the newcomers some worldly advice about negotiating in foreign markets.
Asher 給新來的人一些關於在國外市場談判的實用建議。
Felix had a worldly air about him that came from years of international travel.
Felix 身上有一種歷經多年國際旅行而養成的老練氣質。
Christopher was too worldly to be shocked by the scandal in the art world.
Christopher 見過太多世面，不會被藝術圈的醜聞嚇到。
Zola's worldly manner made it easy for her to connect with people from all backgrounds.
Zola 老練的處世態度，讓她能輕鬆與各種背景的人交流。
- sophisticated
More about refined taste and elegance; 'worldly' emphasises practical experience
- experienced
More general; can apply to any area of life, not just social situations
- seasoned
Suggests long experience in a particular field, like a 'seasoned traveller'
- worldly-wise
Idiomatic phrase with the same meaning, often used in the same contexts
- naive
Lacks the negative judgement of 'green' or 'callow'; simply means inexperienced in life
- unworldly
Direct antonym; describes someone with little practical experience
- inexperienced
More general; can apply to any specific area, not just life broadly
- innocent
Suggests purity or lack of exposure to unpleasant realities
文法句型
be + worldly
be + worldly + for + noun phrase
too + worldly + to-infinitive
worldly + noun
用法筆記
This sense carries a positive or neutral tone, suggesting admirable breadth of experience. Distinguish from sense 1 (MATERIAL): whereas sense 1 contrasts with 'spiritual', this sense contrasts with 'naive' or 'inexperienced'. 'Worldly' in this sense is close in meaning to 'worldly-wise'.
常見錯誤
❗ 'He is very worldly, so he knows a lot about cars.' ✅ 'He is very worldly, so he knows how to handle difficult people in business.' — 'Worldly' in sense 2 implies social and practical life experience, not technical or academic knowledge.