worldly wealth

USAGE SUMMARY

"worldly wealth" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to material possessions, riches, or possessions of a person that have a physical or monetary value. It is often used to contrast material possessions with spiritual or moral values. Example: "Despite his immense worldly wealth, the billionaire still felt unfulfilled and longed for deeper meaning in his life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Keith Montgomery, Wausau, Wisc.: When I was in primary school in Britain in the early 60's we were told that India had not developed because Hinduism promoted a certain fatalism and other-worldliness that did not lead to worldly wealth — I think that was also applied to Buddhists, and I can't remember the Chinese argument (I think it had to do with the Confucian hierarchy and Taoist mysticism).

The New York Times

He had no desire for worldly wealth.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That 10 cents was my entire worldly wealth," she said.

The New York Times

He was, he projected, one of the boys – a political workaholic fascinated with power but uninterested in amassing worldly wealth.

Independent

Anthony Abbot Shunning the Mass of Gold," in which the saint rejects Satan's temptation of worldly wealth.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a radical call to cast aside worldly wealth and belongings and acknowledge the fragile, fallen nature of all men and women.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Besides, he was worldly, greedy for wealth, and unchaste he had an illegitimate son and daughter.

Britannica

In "Rodin's Debutante," Tommy Ogden would seem to stand for the worldly life of wealth and power, while Allprice looks a lot like a spokesman for the elective poverty and creative freedom Lee eventually pursues.

The New York Times - Books

Capitalism motivates us to strive for this-worldly salvation through wealth accumulation, engaging in repetitive labor rituals, and managing our guilty debt in the hopes of accessing sacred credit.

Huffington Post

For other people success manifests itself in wealth and worldly esteem.

The New York Times - Books

Pierre agreed, and said that he had once projected a trilogy, which would follow Vernon's fortunes as he progressed to wealth and worldly success.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing values, use "worldly wealth" in contrast to spiritual or ethical considerations to emphasize the potential conflict between material gain and moral principles.

Common error

Avoid using "worldly wealth" in contexts where it solely celebrates material success without considering its ethical implications or potential downsides. Consider the broader impact of wealth accumulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worldly wealth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to denote material possessions and riches, often viewed in contrast to spiritual or moral values. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it highlights the phrase's role in discussing the allure and potential drawbacks of material affluence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worldly wealth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that refers to material possessions and riches. Ludwig AI validates that it's used across diverse contexts, but most frequently in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it often appears in discussions contrasting material success with spiritual or ethical values. When using this phrase, writers should avoid celebrating wealth without considering broader implications and be mindful of more nuanced alternatives such as "material possessions" or "earthly riches".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

material wealth

Directly highlights wealth that is tangible and physical.

worldly goods

Emphasizes wealth as merchandise, products, or items.

material possessions

Focuses on the tangible items and property one owns.

earthly riches

Emphasizes the abundance of material wealth in a more poetic or figurative way.

material affluence

Highlights the abundance and prosperity associated with material wealth.

temporal possessions

Stresses that wealth is related to the present life and not spiritual or eternal.

tangible assets

Highlights the physical and touchable nature of the wealth.

financial assets

Refers to wealth in terms of monetary value and resources.

economic resources

Broader term indicating all available means for economic activity and prosperity.

pecuniary means

Highlights the availability of money and its use.

FAQs

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

You can use "worldly wealth" to describe material possessions and riches, often contrasting them with spiritual or moral values. For instance, "Despite his immense worldly wealth, he remained unhappy".

What are some alternatives to "worldly wealth"?

Alternatives include "material possessions", "earthly riches", or "material wealth", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "worldly wealths"?

No, "worldly wealth" is generally used as an uncountable noun, so the plural form "worldly wealths" is not standard. You would typically refer to different types or sources of worldly wealth instead.

What's the difference between "worldly wealth" and "spiritual wealth"?

"Worldly wealth" refers to material possessions and financial resources, while "spiritual wealth" encompasses non-material assets like inner peace, strong relationships, and moral values. They represent contrasting priorities in life.