SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

unworldly

adjective un·world·ly \ ˌən-ˈwər(-ə)l-dlē , -ˈwərl-lē \

Definition of unworldly

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

play \ˌən-ˈwərl(d)-lē-nəs\ noun

See unworldly defined for English-language learners

See unworldly defined for kids

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 of unworldly from the Web

Stuck up into that unworldly sky was the cone of Mount Adams, and the alpenglow was upon it.

— sari botton, Longreads, "The Sun Was Going and the World Was Wrong," 17 Aug. 2017
With neon bright hues, these unworldly plants twist their foliage and branches into strange shapes – tubes, pitchers, even snakes.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "These hungry bug eaters put on a show," 21 July 2017
Stuck up into that unworldly sky was the cone of Mount Adams, and the alpenglow was upon it.

— annie dillard, The Atlantic, "Annie Dillard's Classic Essay: 'Total Eclipse'," 20 Mar. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unworldly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unworldly

1707

unworldly Synonyms

Synonyms

aw-shucks, dewy, dewy-eyed, green, ingenuous, innocent, naïf (or naif), primitive, simple, simpleminded, uncritical, unknowing, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, naive, wide-eyed

Antonyms

cosmopolitan, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise

Related Words

callow, childish, immature, inexperienced, raw; childlike, idealistic, impractical, unrealistic; believing, credulous, gullible (also gullable), susceptible, trustful, trusting, unguarded; beguiled, duped, gulled, tricked; careless, heedless, thoughtless

Near Antonyms

critical, cynical, doubting, incredulous, skeptical, suspecting, suspicious, unconvinced; careful, cautious, guarded, leery (also leary), wary, watchful; down-to-earth, hardheaded, pragmatic (also pragmatical), realistic, sober; street-smart, streetwise

UNWORLDLY Defined for English Language Learners

unworldly

adjective

Definition of unworldly for English Language Learners

: having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge of the world
: having an unusual quality that does not seem to be of this world

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unworldly

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

unworking

unworkmanlike

unworldly

unworn

unworried

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Examples: unworldly in a Sentence