Worldly describes someone who has broad experience with different places, cultures, and ways of life. A worldly person has traveled, met many kinds of people, and learned how the world works beyond their hometown. They're sophisticated and knowledgeable about practical matters, comfortable in unfamiliar situations, and rarely shocked by what they encounter.

Think of the difference between someone who's only read about Paris in books and someone who's actually navigated its metro system, ordered croissants in French, and knows which neighborhoods to visit. The second person is more worldly. A worldly businesswoman can handle meetings in Tokyo, London, or São Paulo with equal confidence. A worldly ship captain has seen dozens of ports and understands how people in different countries do things.

The word can also describe someone focused on material success and physical pleasures rather than spiritual or intellectual pursuits. In this sense, worldly ambitions means caring about money, status, and comfort rather than deeper questions or values.

You might hear someone described as worldly-wise, meaning they understand how people really behave, including the less noble parts of human nature. They're not naive or easily fooled because experience has taught them how the world works.