[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/earthly/)

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# earthly

adjective

«earthly» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Of this world and this life, not of heaven. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#m1)
2. (informal, with no, any or why) At all; possible, as in «no earthly use» or «why on earth». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#m2)
3. Of the planet Earth, as opposed to space. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#m3)

### In the lessons

In church language «earthly» is contrasted with «heavenly»: Christians believe earthly riches pass away but heavenly treasure lasts. In everyday talk it strengthens a question or a «no»: «no earthly reason», «not an earthly chance». In science fiction «earthly» means from Earth.

### Examples

- There's no earthly reason why you can't finish your homework now. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x1)
- Why on earth did you paint the cat blue? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x2)
- He gave away his earthly possessions and became a monk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x3)
- Christians believe that earthly life is not the end. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x4)
- That old bike is no earthly use to anyone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x5)
- The Bible says not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x6)
- The alien had never tasted earthly food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x7)
- She hasn't an earthly chance of winning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x8)
- He who filled her every thought! he whom she loved best, and who was her whole earthly pride! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/#x9)

### Note

Adjective; it is used before nouns (earthly life), and in the strengthening sense only with «no», «any», «not» or questions. Opposite in religious use: «heavenly». Do not confuse with «earthy» (smelling of soil; plain and down-to-earth). «Why on earth» is the common phrase.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «earthly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/earthly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«earthly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/earthly.html) on Mova free.