Earthy vs. Earthly — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 4, 2024
Earthy relates to qualities reminiscent of the earth or soil, focusing on natural, unrefined attributes, while Earthly pertains more to worldly or mundane aspects, not spiritual or celestial.
Difference Between Earthy and Earthly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Earthy describes elements that evoke the essence of the natural world, often used to refer to natural, coarse textures and flavors in food and wine, whereas Earthly refers to things pertaining to the physical, material world as opposed to spiritual or ethereal realms.
Earthy colors are deep, muted shades like browns and greens, reflecting soil and foliage, on the other hand, Earthly concerns might relate to day-to-day life’s practical or material aspects, such as business or politics.
In literature, an earthy character might be portrayed as rugged and unpolished, emphasizing a close connection to nature and a straightforward, no-nonsense attitude, whereas an Earthly theme would deal with human experiences and concerns, ignoring the divine or otherworldly.
Earthy scents are typically robust and organic, reminiscent of wet soil or rain on leaves, while Earthly describes more broadly anything related to the earth or human life on it, including urban and rural settings.
In spiritual discussions, earthy might imply a grounded, nurturing presence, connected deeply with the physical world and its life cycles, whereas Earthly describes things not pertaining to heaven or a spiritual existence, focusing instead on human or worldly affairs.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertaining to the earth or soil, natural or unrefined
Pertaining to the material world, not spiritual
Usage in context
Natural qualities, simplicity
Worldly concerns, mundane aspects
Connotation
Organic, robust, genuine
Secular, mundane, worldly
Common associations
Nature, soil, robustness
Human affairs, materialism
Literary usage
Rugged, natural characters
Human, worldly themes
Compare with Definitions
Earthy
Suggestive of or resembling earth or soil.
He chose an earthy palette for his painting to reflect the landscape.
Earthly
Secular, mundane.
He had no interest in the earthly pursuits of wealth and power.
Earthy
Pertaining to the earth, especially the soil.
The garden had a distinct earthy smell after the rain.
Earthly
Worldly, not spiritual or divine.
She focused more on earthly matters than spiritual ones.
Earthy
Unrefined or coarse.
His earthy humor wasn’t appreciated in the formal meeting.
Earthly
Pertaining to land or ground.
The earthly terrain of the park varies greatly.
Earthy
Down-to-earth, natural.
Her earthy demeanor made everyone feel at ease.
Earthly
Relating to the earth or human life on it.
His dreams transcended earthly concerns.
Earthy
Robust and hearty, as in flavors or smells.
The wine is noted for its earthy undertones.
Earthly
Possible or conceivable on earth.
There is no earthly reason for such behavior.
Earthy
Of, consisting of, or resembling earth
An earthy smell.
Earthly
Of, relating to, or characteristic of this earth.
Earthy
Of or characteristic of this world; worldly.
Earthly
Terrestrial; not heavenly or divine
Earthly existence.
Earthy
Crude or off-color; indecent
An earthy joke.
Earthly
Worldly
Earthly delights.
One's earthly possessions.
Earthy
Hearty or uninhibited; natural
An earthy enjoyment of life.
Earthly
Conceivable; possible
No earthly meaning whatever.
Earthy
Unadorned and simple in style
An earthy homemade stew.
Earthly
Relating to the earth or this world, as opposed to heaven; terrestrial.
Earthly joys
Earthy
Resembling dirt or soil (i.e. earth).
The earthy smell of fresh turned loam told me the farmer had started plowing this morning, the definitive sign of spring for me.
Earthly
Used for emphasis
Earthy
Down-to-earth, not artificial, natural.
She was an earthy soul, the salt of the earth as they say of such rural folk, untarnished by false civilization.
Earthly
(obsolete) Made of earth; earthy.
Earthy
(figurative) Coarse and unrefined, crude.
Earthy humour
Earthly
That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being.
Earthy
Like or resembling the earth or of the earth.
Earthly
A slightest chance (of success etc.) or idea (about something).
Earthy
Covered with earth (mud, dirt).
Earthly
In an earthly manner.
Earthy
Consisting of, or resembling, earth; terrene; earthlike; as, earthy matter.
How pale she looks,And of an earthy cold!
All over earthy, like a piece of earth.
Earthly
Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal; worldly; as, earthly joys; earthly flowers; earthly praise.
This earthly loadOf death, called life.
Whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Earthy
Of or pertaining to the earth or to, this world; earthly; terrestrial; carnal.
The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy.
Earthy spirits black and envious are.
Earthly
Of all things on earth; possible; conceivable.
What earthly benefit can be the result?
Earthy
Gross; low; unrefined.
Earthly
Made of earth; earthy.
Earthy
Without luster, or dull and roughish to the touch; as, an earthy fracture.
Earthly
In the manner of the earth or its people; worldly.
Took counsel from his guiding eyesTo make this wisdom earthly wise.
Earthy
Conspicuously and tastelessly indecent;
Coarse language
A crude joke
Crude behavior
An earthy sense of humor
A revoltingly gross expletive
A vulgar gesture
Full of language so vulgar it should have been edited
Earthly
Of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven;
Earthly beings
Believed that our earthly life is all that matters
Earthly love
Our earthly home
Earthy
Not far removed from or suggestive of nature;
The earthy taste of warm milk fresh from the cow
Earthy smells of new-mown grass
Earthy
Hearty and lusty;
An earthy enjoyment of life
Earthy
Sensible and practical;
Has a straightforward down-to-earth approach to a problem
Her earthy common sense
Common Curiosities
What does earthy mean in terms of personality?
Earthy in terms of personality describes someone who is practical, direct, and connected to the natural world.
Can earthly be used to describe feelings?
Yes, earthly can describe feelings when referring to non-spiritual, worldly emotions.
Is there a spiritual aspect to the term earthly?
No, earthly specifically refers to non-spiritual, worldly aspects.
What are some examples of earthy colors?
Earthy colors include shades like forest green, mud brown, and deep rust.
Does earthly pertain to all living creatures on Earth?
Earthly pertains to aspects of the world that include but are not limited to human experiences.
What kind of artwork would be considered earthy?
Artwork that incorporates natural materials and themes, such as landscapes or raw textiles, is considered earthy.
What is an earthy fragrance?
An earthy fragrance would be one that smells of the natural world, like fresh soil or damp forest.
What does it mean for a philosophy to be earthy?
An earthy philosophy would be one that prioritizes practical, real-world situations and human well-being.
How can someone’s style be described as earthy?
Someone’s style can be described as earthy if it includes natural elements, organic materials, and muted, natural colors.
What is an example of an earthly dilemma?
An earthly dilemma might involve choosing between two material benefits, such as jobs.
Can food have an earthy taste?
Yes, foods like mushrooms and root vegetables are often described as having an earthy taste.
How can architecture be described as earthly?
Architecture can be described as earthly when it involves practical, material considerations and uses earthly materials like stone or wood.
Can a book have an earthly theme?
Yes, if its narrative focuses on human, worldly matters rather than on the supernatural or speculative.
Is there a fashion trend that emphasizes earthly concepts?
Yes, fashion trends that focus on sustainability and use of natural fibers are often considered to emphasize earthly concepts.
How does one distinguish between earthy and earthly in daily conversation?
In daily conversation, earthy usually refers to something natural or coarse, while earthly often relates to mundane or worldly matters.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
