physical

[ fiz-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the body:

   physical exercise.

   Synonyms: fleshly, somatic

2. of or relating to that which is material:

   the physical universe; the physical sciences.

   Synonyms: palpable, tangible

3. noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
4. pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics. physics.
5. carnal; sexual:

   a physical attraction.

6. tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative:

   a physical person.

7. requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity:

   Football is a physical sport.

noun

1. physical examination.

physical

/ ˈfɪzɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit
2. of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature

   the physical universe

3. involving or requiring bodily contact

   rugby is a physical sport

4. of or concerned with matter and energy
5. of or relating to physics
6. perceptible to the senses; apparent

   a physical manifestation

noun

1. short for physical examination

Derived Forms

• ˈphysicalness, noun
• ˈphysically, adverb

Other Words From

• physi·cal·ly adverb
• physi·cal·ness noun
• anti·physi·cal adjective
• anti·physi·cal·ly adverb
• anti·physi·cal·ness noun
• non·physi·cal adjective
• non·physi·cal·ly adverb
• quasi-physi·cal adjective
• quasi-physi·cal·ly adverb
• trans·physi·cal adjective
• trans·physi·cal·ly adverb
• un·physi·cal adjective
• un·physi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of physical¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin physicālis “concerning medicine.” See physic, -al ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see get physical .

Synonym Study

Physical, bodily, corporeal, corporal agree in pertaining to the body. Physical indicates connected with, pertaining to, the animal or human body as a material organism: physical strength, exercise. Bodily means belonging to, concerned with, the human body as distinct from the mind or spirit: bodily pain or suffering. Corporeal, a more poetic and philosophical word than bodily, refers especially to the mortal substance of which the human body is composed as opposed to spirit: this corporeal habitation. Corporal is now usually reserved for reference to whippings and other punishments inflicted on the human body.

Example Sentences

A guideline to improve children’s physical health, for example, includes using AI to help tackle environmental pollution.

From MIT Technology Review

However, coronavirus threw a spanner in the works for physical stores.

From Quartz

During the pandemic, getting enough physical activity may be even more difficult than usual.

From Science News For Students

Some school districts are trying to bring younger kids into physical classrooms before older kids.

From Science News

For her events, she always include “artifacts,” as Haskins calls them, or vignettes primed for social media—a way for the event to extend beyond the physical room.

From Fortune

Also, she was tall and thin, too, further adding to the ways she met the physical beauty conventions.

From The Daily Beast

And with the dance sequence, we wanted something very physical.

From The Daily Beast

But this physical involvement, or lack of it, is only part of the problem.

From The Daily Beast

If the operation caused no physical damage, it would be in bounds.

From The Daily Beast

That means any response that could result in physical damage inside North Korea is off the table.

From The Daily Beast

The foreman's immense voice, explaining machines and tools, caused physical vibrations in her.

From Project Gutenberg

The two enjoyed a mutual understanding from which he was excluded, a private intimacy that was spiritual, mental,— physical.

From Project Gutenberg

Its continued presence in pulmonary tuberculosis is, however, a grave prognostic sign, even when the physical signs are slight.

From Project Gutenberg

I rejoice in being able to say that the general tendency of the speeches was towards universal Emancipation, mental and physical.

From Project Gutenberg

His entire being now relaxed itself; and his physical system found relief in long, deep sighs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• environmental
• natural
• real
• substantial