Definition

1. Noun:
   • A matter or interest relating to this physical, material world and human life on Earth, as opposed to spiritual matters, heaven, or the afterlife. It refers to the practical, secular, or mundane affairs of daily human existence.

Usage

• This term is typically used in philosophical, religious, or literary contexts to contrast temporal, worldly matters with spiritual or eternal ones.
• It often carries a neutral or slightly dismissive connotation, implying that such concerns are transient or less important than spiritual pursuits.
• It functions as a countable noun, often used in the singular form (an earthly concern) or plural (earthly concerns).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Politicians are often consumed by earthly concerns like the economy and national security.
  • The monk sought to free his mind from all earthly concerns to focus on meditation.
  • Her philosophy was to address earthly concerns with compassion while maintaining faith in a higher purpose.

Advanced Usage

• "to be preoccupied with earthly concerns": to be overly focused on material or worldly matters.
  • He felt his friend was too preoccupied with earthly concerns to appreciate the beauty of nature and art.
• "the realm of earthly concerns": the domain or sphere of worldly affairs.
  • The discussion moved from the realm of earthly concerns to more abstract theological questions.

Variants and Related Words

• Worldly concern (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
  • She had little interest in worldly concerns such as fame or wealth.
• Secular matter (n): An issue not connected to religious or spiritual affairs.
• Temporal affair (n): A matter pertaining to this life and time, not eternity. (More formal)

Synonyms

• Worldly affair: A matter related to the material world.
• Mundane matter: A concern that is ordinary, practical, and not spiritual.
• Terrestrial interest: An interest in things of the Earth. (More formal/literary)

Antonyms

• Spiritual concern: A matter relating to the soul or religious faith.
• Heavenly matter: An issue pertaining to heaven or the divine.
• Eternal consideration: A thought or concern about everlasting life or truths.

Noun

1. the concerns of this life as distinguished from heaven and the afterlife
   • they consider the church to be independent of the world