physically

[ fiz-ik-lee ]

adverb

1. relating to the body or its appearance:

   He is not physically attractive.

2. according to what exists in the physical world as perceived by the senses:

   It's not physically possible because of the laws of gravity.

3. in a way that involves rough body contact or strenuous physical activity: a physically demanding sport.

   a physically abusive spouse;

   a physically demanding sport.

Word History and Origins

Origin of physically¹

First recorded in 1580–90; physical ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

The aircraft’s instrument correctly tells the pilot the plane is level, but the inner ear tells them incorrectly that they’re banked too much, and the pilot may physically lean to the left, or turn to the left, to feel normal in their body.

From Popular-Science

I was waiting to meet Lauren Strenger in the virtual headquarters of Gather, a startup that builds digital office space for remote teams that miss the feeling of physically being together.

From Quartz

The first few rows of seats closest to the field will be blocked off to keep watchers distanced from the players, and additional seats throughout the stadium will be blocked off to keep people physically distanced.

From Popular-Science

First there was the coronavirus pandemic, which blocked many people from physically socializing with friends or attending schools in person.

From Fortune

You could have half the attendees physically in the room and others working remotely on video.

From Digiday

I mean, physically, mentally, you know, in every way, shape, and form.

From The Daily Beast

We also see her physically battling Sheriff Clark, but the camera focuses on her falling to the ground.

From The Daily Beast

Well, one expert I talked to said that physically it involves little more than a $20 cable.

From The Daily Beast

It seems that the deputies asked him to leave, but Saylor insisted on staying, and perhaps physically resisted them.

From The Daily Beast

At least two other officers had been physically assaulted since the protests began.

From The Daily Beast

On May 13 Polavieja arrived in Barcelona physically broken, half blind, and with evident traces of a disordered liver.

From Project Gutenberg

I always maintain that our women are of immense service to us, but many of them are physically unfit.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Burns was a striking personality; strong and vigorous, mentally and physically.

From Project Gutenberg

There was in Nigel something that attracted her physically, that attracted her at certain moments very strongly.

From Project Gutenberg

He was physically strong and able to endure fatigue, and he had great capacity for taking pains.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• palpably
• substantially