好词典

earthly

UK //ˈɜːθli//US //ˈɜːrθli//

词源

源自古英语eorþlic,由earth(地球)+-ly(形容词后缀)构成,与古诺尔斯语jarðligr同源。

adjective

❶ 与地球或世俗生活有关的,指物质世界而非精神或宗教领域的事物。常用于对比天堂或神圣事物。

“He was more concerned with earthly pleasures than spiritual growth.”

(他更关心世俗的享乐而非精神成长。)

“No earthly treasure can compare to true happiness.”

(任何世俗的财富都无法与真正的幸福相比。)

❶ 用于强调时表示‘可能的’或‘可想象的’,常用于否定句加强语气。

“There's no earthly reason why we should delay.”

(我们没有任何理由拖延。)

“I can't think of any earthly use for this old machine.”

(我想不出这台旧机器还有什么可能的用途。)

同义词:worldly, terrestrial, material, mundane, secular

常见短语

earthly paradise — 指人间天堂,形容极其美好如天堂般的现实场所或状态。

“The tropical island was like an earthly paradise with its white beaches and clear water.”

(这座热带岛屿宛如人间天堂,拥有白色沙滩和清澈海水。)

no earthly use — 强调完全没有用处或价值,常带夸张语气。

“This broken umbrella is of no earthly use in this heavy rain.”

(这把坏掉的伞在这场大雨中完全没用。)