German word

weltlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛltlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivesecular

Example

Viele Länder haben eine weltliche Regierung.

Many countries have a secular government.

Illustration for weltlich (secular)

More examples

Sie handelt aus weltlichen Gründen, nicht aus religiöser Überzeugung.

She acts for secular reasons, not out of religious conviction.

Core concept

A person or institution focused on earthly affairs instead of church life.

Common phrases

  • aus weltlichen Gründen

    for secular reasons

  • weltliche Feier

    secular celebration

Similar words

säkular: Describing public systems governed without religious authority or influence.
profane: Referring to everyday, non-sacred things or activities.
nichtkirchlich: Unconnected with churches or other religious bodies.
laizistisch: Insisting on strict separation between religious institutions and the state.

Definition in German

Nicht kirchlich oder religiös; auf das irdische, alltägliche Leben bezogen.

Word origin

Welt derives from Old High German weralt, and adding -lich forms an adjective for something connected with the world or earthly life.

Usage tips

  • The adjective is lowercase in phrases such as 'eine weltliche Regierung' but is capitalized when nominalized, as in 'das Weltliche'.

Other meanings

  • worldlyadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Weltlichkeitsecularitynoun
  • verweltlichensecularizeverb

Word lists with this word