worldliness
/ˈwɜːldlinəs/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɚldlinəs] /ˈwɜːrldlinəs/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɚldlinəs] /-dlēnə̇s, -lin-/ (ame, mw)
worldliness — noun
1. the polished, practical understanding of people and life that comes from broad e
the polished, practical understanding of people and life that comes from broad experience and makes someone hard to shock
Rafael's years in hotel management gave him a calm worldliness in awkward social situations.
worldliness in social situations from life experience
At the embassy dinner, Kemi admired the easy worldliness with which Ana greeted difficult guests.
an air of worldliness in formal social settings
Even after the scandal broke, Victor answered reporters with the same dry worldliness.
Mina's sudden worldliness surprised her cousins after one year of working abroad.
The novel's heroine speaks with a playful worldliness that makes her seem older than nineteen.
- sophistication
Often suggests refined taste; 'worldliness' stresses experience with real people and situations
- savvy
More informal and more obviously practical; 'worldliness' can also suggest polish
- experience
Broader and more neutral; 'worldliness' adds social confidence and lack of innocence
- naivety
Suggests trusting or believing too easily because of limited life experience
- innocence
Can be positive; lacks the seasoned understanding carried by 'worldliness'
- unworldliness
Direct opposite; little knowledge of how people or society really work
文法句型
show worldliness
with worldliness
an air of worldliness
用法筆記
This sense is often used for someone's social ease, emotional toughness, or practical judgement in dealing with people. Distinguish it from sense 2: here the speaker usually admires experience, not a moral failure.
常見錯誤
2. a habit of caring too much about status, money, and other earthly concerns while
a habit of caring too much about status, money, and other earthly concerns while neglecting spiritual life
During the retreat, Father Elias warned that worldliness was replacing prayer with status-seeking.
religious criticism contrasting prayer and status
Marisol left the committee because its growing worldliness made every meeting about money.
In his sermon, Pastor Daniel described celebrity culture as a form of modern worldliness.
The abbess saw worldliness in the sisters' constant arguments over comfort and prestige.
Joana's diary records her struggle against worldliness after she inherited the family business.
- materialism
Focuses more narrowly on money and possessions than 'worldliness' does
- secularity
Usually describes non-religious institutions or policies, not a personal moral failing
- earthliness
Close in meaning but less common and less strongly critical in religious writing
- spirituality
Focus on prayer, inner growth, and the life of the spirit
- piety
Stresses religious devotion and reverent behaviour
- devotion
More general; can be religious or personal, but contrasts with self-seeking values here
文法句型
worldliness in [person / institution]
the worldliness of [group]
struggle against worldliness
用法筆記
This sense appears mainly in religious or moral criticism, especially when someone is said to prefer comfort, rank, or money over spiritual discipline. It does not simply mean being busy with ordinary life.