worldly-wise

[ wurld-lee-wahyz ]

/ ˈwɜrld liˈwaɪz /

wise as to the affairs of this world.

Origin of worldly-wise

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

She was worldly-wise in her way, and thought it best to leave well alone.

Elster's Folly |Mrs. Henry Wood
Jack looked across the room into the keen, worldly-wise old face.

With Edged Tools |Henry Seton Merriman
Before you grew to be a worldly-wise old lady, and before I had become a cynical old man.

Ainslee's, Vol. 15, No. 6, July 1905 |Various
He was worldly-wise enough to suspect that Zen also felt that charm.

Dennison Grant |Robert Stead

They felt, on the whole, older than she was, and worldly-wise in comparison.

Non-combatants and Others |Rose Macaulay