physically

American  

[fiz-ik-lee] / ˈfɪz ɪk li /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of physically

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

Example Sentences

With their 51-44 victory over the burned Orange, the Bruins have advanced to the national championship game Sunday against a physically dominant group from powerhouse South Carolina.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

He is one of dozens of batters across the major leagues who recently found out that they weren’t quite as physically imposing as they thought they were.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“The U.S. stepping back from physically reopening the artery means the market now has to price a world where the blockage lingers, but the war premium fades at the margin,” Innes said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The Immigration and Nationality Act allows an "alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States" to apply for asylum.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

You may be like your grandfather in this, I don’t know, but certainly both you and your father resemble him very much physically.

From "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin

Related Words

• palpably
• substantially