Otherworldly

Pronunciation

• US enPR: Å­th'É™r-wûrldʹli, IPA: /ˌʌðɚˈwɝld.li/

Origin

otherworld + -ly

Full definition of otherworldly

Adjective

1. Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a different world than that of the tangible here and now, such as a heavenly, spiritual, or imaginary world.
• 1917, H._G._Wells, God, the Invisible King, ch. 5,Every religion that becomes ascendant, in so far as it is not otherworldly, must necessarily set its stamp upon the methods and administration of the law.
• 2007, Clive Davis, "Simphiwe Dana: The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street," Times of London, 26 Aug.,Dana has the otherworldly temperament of a mystic.
2. Not belonging to the real world; unnatural; odd and unfamiliar.
• 1919, John_Galsworthy, Saint's Progress, ch. 7,He had not seen cricket played since the war began; it seemed almost otherworldly, with the click of the bats, and the shrill young voices.

Synonyms

• (of a different world) alien, ethereal, mystical, transcendental

Related terms

• otherworldy