# Earthling

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɜːθlɪŋ/ · frequency rank #75,828

## Definitions
1. An inhabitant of Earth, as opposed to one of heaven.
2. An inhabitant of Earth, as opposed to one of another planet; specifically, a sentient member of any species native to Earth.
3. A person who is materialistic or worldly; a worldling.

## Etymology
From earth + -ling (suffix indicating a resident); earth is ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₁er- (“earth”). Old English ierþling (“farmer, husbandman, ploughman”, literally “one of the earth”) is formed from the same roots but generally did not outlive Old English; all modern uses are historical: see earthling. Compare also human, which is derived from Latin humus (“ground, soil”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/earthling