ENGLISH
REFERENCE

earthly

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɝθɫi// UK //ˈɜːθli// earth·ly Archaic Informal

adj. relating to life on this planet rather than spiritual or religious things. You also use it in negative sentences to mean 'at all' or 'possible'.

adj. relating to the physical world or human life as opposed to a spiritual or celestial realm. Often used in negative constructions to emphasize a total lack of something.


SIMPLE

He has no earthly reason to be so angry.

CONTEXTUAL

The monk decided to give away all his earthly possessions before entering the monastery.

COMPLEX

The poet contrasts the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures with the perceived permanence of the divine, suggesting that material wealth is ultimately an illusion.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth + -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).

Usage

Often used in the fixed phrase 'no earthly reason' or 'no earthly use' to provide emphasis.

Pitfall

He has not earthly reasonHe has no earthly reasonWhen used for emphasis in this way, 'earthly' typically follows 'no' rather than 'not'.

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