worldliness

/ˈwɜːldlinəs/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɚldlinəs] /ˈwɜːrldlinəs/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɚldlinəs] /-dlēnə̇s,  -lin-/ (ame, mw)

worldliness — 名詞

1. the polished, practical understanding of people and life that comes from broad e

1.名詞C1
釋義

世故

歷練深且懂人情世故

the polished, practical understanding of people and life that comes from broad experience and makes someone hard to shock

例句

Rafael's years in hotel management gave him a calm worldliness in awkward social situations.

多年飯店管理的歷練，讓 Rafael 在尷尬的社交場合裡顯得很世故。

worldliness in social situations from life experience

At the embassy dinner, Kemi admired the easy worldliness with which Ana greeted difficult guests.

在大使館晚宴上，Kemi 很欣賞 Ana 接待難搞賓客時那種從容的世故。

an air of worldliness in formal social settings

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

❌His worldliness comes from reading many science books.
✅His worldliness comes from dealing with many kinds of people and situations.
💡this sense is about life experience and social judgement, not academic knowledge.

2. a habit of caring too much about status, money, and other earthly concerns while

2.名詞C1
釋義

塵俗心

偏重俗世事務而忽略靈性

a habit of caring too much about status, money, and other earthly concerns while neglecting spiritual life

例句

During the retreat, Father Elias warned that worldliness was replacing prayer with status-seeking.

退修期間，Elias 神父警告說，塵俗心正在擠掉祈禱生活，讓人一心追逐地位。

religious criticism contrasting prayer and status

Marisol left the committee because its growing worldliness made every meeting about money.

Marisol 離開那個委員會，因為它的塵俗心越來越重，每次開會都只談錢。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌Moving to Taipei gave him more worldliness.
✅Moving to Taipei gave him more life experience.
💡this sense criticises attachment to money, status, or comfort, especially in spiritual contexts.