physical
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the body.
physical exercise.
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of or relating to that which is material.
the physical universe; the physical sciences.
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noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
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pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics.
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carnal; sexual.
a physical attraction.
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tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative.
a physical person.
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requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity.
Football is a physical sport.
noun
adjective
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of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit
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of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature
the physical universe
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involving or requiring bodily contact
rugby is a physical sport
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of or concerned with matter and energy
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of or relating to physics
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perceptible to the senses; apparent
a physical manifestation
noun
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of physical
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin physicālis “concerning medicine.” See physic, -al 1
Explanation
When something is physical it's really there. You can see it, touch it, taste it, hear it, or smell it. The physical world is all of the stuff around you. When your doctor performs a physical, he or she is checking out your physical self. They're probably going to take your temperature, draw blood and listen to your heart and lungs. You may be asked a mental health question or two, but they're not going to ask you how you feel about God or what the meaning of life is. In physical education, you do physical activity. You move your body to make it healthier.
Vocabulary lists containing physical
Introduction to Informational Text
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Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
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"Glencoe Accounting: Real-World Applications & Connections," Vocabulary from Chapter 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Who do you think would win in a physical fight between you and Donald Trump?
From Salon • May 11, 2026
‘We gotta stay with it,” said Marcus Smart, who has been obliterated by the Thunder’s physical guards.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
Broadcaster Sophie Raworth doesn't shy away from a physical challenge.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
The reminder to set physical boundaries is a good one—a way to be more proactive.
From Slate • May 10, 2026
Taken together, topics like these are known as psi, the scientific study of “processes of information or energy transfer that are currently unexplained in terms of known physical or biological mechanisms.”
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
