different between earthly vs heavenly

English

Etymology

From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþl??, corresponding to earth +? -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /????li/

Adjective

earthly (comparative earthlier, superlative earthliest)

1. Relating to the earth or this world, as opposed to heaven; terrestrial.

   earthly joys
2. (negative, informal) Used for emphasis
3. (obsolete) Made of earth; earthy.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Holland to this entry?)

Translations

See also

• worldly

Noun

earthly (plural earthlies)

1. (collective or in the plural) That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being.
   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:earthly.
2. (Britain, colloquial) A slightest chance (of success etc.) or idea (about something).
   • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York 2007, p. 315:

     ‘Then I didn't have a chance when I stood you a drink?’ I said. ‘Not an earthly!’ she said and laughed; but when I left she kissed me good-night.

Adverb

earthly (comparative more earthly, superlative most earthly)

1. in an earthly manner

Further reading

• earthly in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• earthly in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• earthly at OneLook Dictionary Search
• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

Anagrams

• Hartley, hartely, hartley, heartly, hetaryl, lathery

English

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?h?v?nli/

Etymology

From Middle English heuenly, hevenly, heofonlich, from Old English heofonl?? (“heavenly, celestial; chaste”); equivalent to heaven +? -ly.

Adjective

heavenly (comparative heavenlier or more heavenly, superlative heavenliest or most heavenly)

1. Of or pertaining to the heaven believed in by many religions.
2. Synonym of celestial: of or pertaining to the heavens, the sky regarded as the realm of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
3. Of or pertaining to the kingdom of God; divine.
   • 1817, Charles Phillips (author-editor), Speech in the Case of O?Mullan v. M?Korkill, The Speeches of Charles Phillips, page 131,

     No doubt, you have all personally considered — no doubt, you have all personally experienced, that of all the blessings which it has pleased Providence to allow us to cultivate, there is not one which breathes a purer fragrance, or bears an heavenlier aspect than education.

4. Strongly or sublimely beautiful or pleasurable.

   Oh, please continue giving me a massage – it?s absolutely heavenly.

   • 1880, Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, The Works of Mark Twain: Authorized Uniform Edition, Volume 1, page 19,

     So he flew down and got that acorn, and fetched it up and dropped it in, and was just tilting his head back, with the heavenliest smile on his face, when all of a sudden he was paralyzed into a listening attitude and that smile faded gradually out of his countenance like breath off?n a razor, and the queerest look of surprise took its place.

Synonyms

• (of or pertaining to the heaven of any of many religions): celestial; celest (obsolete); paradisal, paradisaical, paradisaic, paradisic (inexact)
• (of or pertaining to the Kingdom of God): divine, spiritual
• (strongly or sublimely beautiful or pleasurable): beatific, blissful, divine, delightful, wonderful

Translations

Adverb

heavenly (comparative more heavenly, superlative most heavenly)

1. In a manner like that of heaven; by the influence or agency of heaven; divinely, miraculously.
2. To a degree such as to elicit great pleasure.

Derived terms