Definition

Noun (plural) 1. All of a person's material possessions; the physical property one owns. This term refers to the entirety of someone's tangible assets and property, often implying these are the things accumulated during one's earthly life, as opposed to spiritual or intangible wealth.

Usage Notes

• The term "worldly belongings" is typically used in formal, legal, or literary contexts, often when discussing inheritance, wills, or the transient nature of material wealth.
• It carries a slight connotation that these possessions are temporary or less important than spiritual matters.
• It functions as a plural noun and is usually used with verbs like , , , , or .

Examples

• In his will, the old man left all his worldly belongings to charity. (He left all his physical property.)
• After the fire, they were left with none of their worldly belongings. (They lost all their material possessions.)
• She traveled lightly, unburdened by many worldly belongings. (She did not own many material things.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used metaphorically to emphasize a complete loss or renunciation of material things.
  • The monk renounced all his worldly belongings to seek enlightenment.

Variants and Related Words

• Worldly goods: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "worldly belongings."
• Worldly possessions: Another direct synonym, as seen in the reference context.
• Personal effects: A more specific term for a person's private belongings, often smaller items.
• Assets: A broader, more financial/legal term for all things owned that have value.
• Chattels (legal): An older legal term for movable personal property.

Synonyms

• Property
• Possessions
• Effects
• Assets
• Estate (in a legal context)
• Goods and chattels

Antonyms

• Spiritual wealth
• Intangible assets (e.g., knowledge, love)
• Debts
• Liabilities

Noun

1. all the property that someone possess
   • he left all his worldly possessions to his daughter