unworldly

adjective

un·​world·​ly ˌən-ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē How to pronounce unworldly (audio)
-ˈwərl-lē
Synonyms of unworldlynext
1
: not of this world : unearthly
specifically : spiritual
2
a
: not wise in the ways of the world : naive
b
: not swayed by mundane considerations
unworldliness
ˌən-ˈwərl(d)-lē-nəs How to pronounce unworldly (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of unworldly in a Sentence

the unworldly beauty of the Grand Canyon the guy's unworldly enough to think that any stranger who would approach him on a city street is simply trying to help him
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While there are countless superhero stories flooding the TV landscape, Emma Moran's Extraordinary soars with its down-to-earth, Boys-esque twist, where being a hero isn't all it's cracked up to be and unworldly abilities aren't just devices for destruction. — Alex Galbraith, EW.com, 24 Sep. 2024 Buruma, who excels at setting a rather unworldly man in the public life of his time, describes how, in 1672, a mob in The Hague lynched Johan and Cornelis de Witt, brothers who had led the Netherlands’ liberal regime during what is now remembered as the Dutch Golden Age. — Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unworldly was in 1707

Rhymes for unworldly

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Browse Nearby Words

unworkmanlike
unworldly
unworn
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Cite this Entry

“Unworldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworldly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

unworldly

adjective
un·​world·​ly ˌən-ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē How to pronounce unworldly (audio)
-ˈwərl-lē,
ˈən-
1
: not of this world
especially : spiritual entry 1 sense 1
2
: not wise in the ways of the world : unsophisticated
unworldliness
-ˈwərl-(d)lē-nəs How to pronounce unworldly (audio)
noun
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