this-worldliness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal / Academic
Quick answer
What does “this-worldliness” mean?
The quality or state of being concerned with earthly, practical, or material affairs, as opposed to spiritual or otherworldly matters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being concerned with earthly, practical, or material affairs, as opposed to spiritual or otherworldly matters.
An attitude focused on secular, immediate, and tangible concerns of human life and society, often implying a lack of interest in religious or metaphysical perspectives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; the term is equally rare and formal in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in American academic texts due to the influence of pragmatic philosophy and sociology.
Connotations
Often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation when used to critique a perspective as overly materialistic or lacking spiritual depth. Can be positive when praising practicality and engagement with societal issues.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall. Primarily found in specialized academic writing in theology, philosophy, and cultural studies.
Grammar
How to Use “this-worldliness” in a Sentence
the this-worldliness of [noun phrase]a philosophy of this-worldlinesscharacterized by this-worldlinessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “this-worldliness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form exists]
American English
- [No standard adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- His this-worldly philosophy rejected metaphysical speculation.
American English
- She advocated for a this-worldly approach to solving social problems.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in philosophy, theology, and sociology to describe worldviews focused on the material and social conditions of human life.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term within specific humanities disciplines.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “this-worldliness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “this-worldliness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “this-worldliness”
- Confusing it with 'worldliness' (which can have connotations of sophistication or experience).
- Using it in informal contexts.
- Misspelling as 'thisworldliness' (though the hyphenated form is standard for the noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal term used almost exclusively in academic writing in fields like theology, philosophy, and sociology.
The primary antonym is 'otherworldliness', which denotes a focus on spiritual, religious, or transcendental matters beyond the physical world.
Yes, it can be used positively to describe a pragmatic, human-centred approach to solving earthly problems. More often, it is used neutrally as a descriptive term or with a slight negative connotation implying materialism.
Use it as a formal abstract noun, often preceded by 'the' or an adjective. Example: 'The this-worldliness of modern society is a frequent topic in cultural studies.'
The quality or state of being concerned with earthly, practical, or material affairs, as opposed to spiritual or otherworldly matters.
This-worldliness is usually formal / academic in register.
This-worldliness: in British English it is pronounced /ˌðɪs ˈwɜːldlinəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌðɪs ˈwɜrldlinəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THIS world' + 'liness' (the state of being). It's the state of being focused on *this* world, here and now.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A MATERIAL REALM (contrasted with LIFE IS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'this-worldliness' most appropriately used?