earthly

/ˈɜːθli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɜːrθli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈərth-lē/ (ame, mw)

earthly — adjective

  • earthlypositive
  • earthliercomparative
  • earthliestsuperlative

1. relating to the physical world that people live in and experience with their sen

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to the physical world that people live in and experience with their senses, rather than to heaven or spiritual existence.

例句

After years at the monastery, Brother Theo cared little for earthly possessions like fine clothes or expensive watches.

collocation: earthly possessions

The painting contrasts the beauty of heaven with the pain and struggle of earthly life.

collocation: earthly life

同義詞
  • worldly

    more neutral; can describe someone experienced in life rather than contrasting with heaven

  • material

    focuses on physical objects and money rather than the entire physical world

  • temporal

    formal; emphasises the temporary nature of earthly life

反義詞
  • heavenly

    direct opposite in the spiritual-vs-physical contrast

  • spiritual

    contrasts the material focus of earthly with the inner, religious dimension

文法句型

earthly + noun

be earthly

常見錯誤

❌ 'Earthly' should not be used to mean 'possible' in positive statements — that meaning belongs only to sense 2 in negative/interrogative constructions.

2. used in negative sentences or questions to emphasise that something has no possi

2.形容詞C1
釋義

used in negative sentences or questions to emphasise that something has no possibility, value, or reason at all.

例句

There is no earthly reason why the clinic should turn away patients who need urgent care.

fixed phrase: no earthly reason (negative construction only)

That broken vacuum cleaner is of no earthly use — the motor has completely burnt out.

fixed phrase: no earthly use

同義詞
  • possible

    neutral and far more common; not restricted to negatives like earthly

  • conceivable

    slightly formal; also works in negative contexts but less idiomatic

文法句型

no earthly + noun

not have any earthly + noun

why/how on earth…

用法筆記

This sense only appears in negative or interrogative constructions — typically after 'no' (no earthly reason, no earthly use) or in questions. It is never used in affirmative statements (e.g. ❌ 'There is an earthly reason'). Distinguish from sense 1 by checking whether the noun refers to a possibility (sense 2) or to the physical world (sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌Do you have an earthly idea where my keys are?
✅Do you have any earthly idea where my keys are?
💡'any' is required, not 'an'.
❌That excuse has an earthly reason.
✅That excuse has no earthly reason.
💡affirmative use of sense 2 is never grammatical.