worldly life

USAGE SUMMARY

'worldly life' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the activities and pursuits of everyday life, especially when it is seen as having little connection to spiritual values. For example, "He had become disillusioned with the mundane aspects of worldly life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Williams lived a rich, worldly life.

The New Yorker

The South African novelist and playwright absorbingly illuminates his wide, worldly life.

The New York Times - Books

The South African novelist and playwright's absorbing autobiography illuminates his wide, worldly life.

The New York Times - Books

I thought I was old and worldly: life experience does make a big difference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of noble birth, he was a thane of King Oswiu (Oswy) of Northumbria before renouncing (653) a worldly life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She saw the Fox Den as a tool for living a worldly life without committing to a worldly career.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

They were simply caught in the act of being themselves.After the show's demise Mr Routh continued to lead a prankish and other-worldly life, shifting from England to Italy and Jamaica as the sun shone, running through various affairs, and bartering bright primitive paintings to settle his restaurant bills.

The Economist

I first read Renata Adler's then out-of-print novel "Speedboat" in my mid-twenties, curled on an IKEA chair in my room in a shabby rental in Brooklyn, devouring the book's jagged, cool, aphoristic prose and its elliptical and mordant portrait of a certain kind of worldly adult life that I had just begun to live but hardly understood — certainly, not the way the narrator of the novel did.

The New Yorker

Maybe this is why their awakening experience is often so totally vivid, other worldly, and life changing.

Huffington Post

Bill was a devout Mormon, while Khalid was young and more intrigued by the worldly elements of life.

The New York Times

Her years in New Mexico were marked by a profound withdrawal from worldly things, a life of renunciation and restriction that often sounds punishingly masochistic, though Martin insisted the intention was spiritual, an ongoing war against the sin of pride.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worldly life" when you want to suggest a focus on material possessions, social status, or sensory pleasures rather than on spiritual or intellectual pursuits.

Common error

Avoid using "worldly life" when simply referring to everyday activities without intending to contrast them with a spiritual or non-materialistic alternative. Using it in neutral contexts can sound pretentious or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worldly life" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing the characteristics of a life focused on earthly matters, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worldly life" is a noun phrase used to describe a life centered on material concerns and everyday activities, often contrasted with spiritual or ascetic pursuits. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency is classified as common across news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. The phrase carries a neutral register but implies reflection. When using "worldly life", consider the implied contrast and ensure it aligns with your intended meaning to avoid misinterpretations. Related terms include "earthly existence" and "secular living", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earthly existence

Focuses on the tangible and material aspects of life, similar to "worldly life" but with a stronger emphasis on physicality.

secular living

Highlights the non-religious aspects of life, contrasting with spiritual or religious pursuits, differing in its specific focus.

temporal affairs

Refers to the everyday events and concerns of human life, often emphasizing their transient nature, differing in formality.

material world

Emphasizes the physical and tangible aspects of life, differing in that it focuses on possessions and tangible items.

mundane existence

Highlights the ordinary and routine aspects of life, differing in its emphasis on the lack of excitement.

lay life

Emphasizes life outside of religious orders or clergy. Differs by specifically excluding religious life.

profane life

Highlights the lack of sacred or religious significance. Differs by emphasizing a lack of reverence.

life in the world

Focuses on involvement in society and its affairs. Differs in its emphasis on participation and engagement.

life in the trenches

Focuses on tough and difficult aspects of life, involving hard and unpleasant work. Differs significantly in that it is an idiom.

human experience

Encompasses the totality of feelings, thoughts, and sensations involved in being alive and human. Differs by generalizing to human life rather than merely earthly.

FAQs

How can I use "worldly life" in a sentence?

You can use "worldly life" to describe someone's engagement with the everyday affairs and material aspects of the world. For example, "He chose to renounce his "worldly life" to dedicate himself to spiritual enlightenment."

What is an alternative to "worldly life"?

Alternatives include "earthly existence", "secular living", or "temporal affairs", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a negative connotation to "worldly life"?

The term "worldly life" often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a focus on material possessions and superficial pleasures, contrasting with spiritual values. This depends heavily on context.

What's the difference between "worldly life" and "mundane existence"?

"Worldly life" generally refers to engagement with everyday affairs, while "mundane existence" emphasizes the routine and often unexciting nature of daily life. The terms can overlap, but "mundane" specifically highlights a lack of excitement.