physique
Americannoun
-
physiques
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of physique
1820–30; < French < Latin physicus. See physic
Explanation
Physique is a word used to describe the form or shape of the human body. If you have a buff physique, you’re in great shape. Well done. Physique, pronounced "fiz-eek,” is from French for “physical.” Someone with a muscular physique has been getting physical in the gym. Everyone has a physique (except ghosts) but the word often refers to a muscular or well-sculpted body. Sometimes people who train for events like marathons or body-building competitions like to take pictures of their physiques before and after.
Vocabulary lists containing physique
And Then There Were None
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English Words Derived from French, List 4
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Dumplin'
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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.
See Examples For:
The president’s son called Navarro “my boy” and complimented him on the “jacked” physique he developed while in prison.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
As I said, bulldogs have a unique physique that can age them more quickly.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
Some stores shield themselves from liability for a bride’s changing physique with the sort of waivers that Hamilton, the New York product designer, signed when she purchased her too-small, hand-beaded gown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026
He transformed his physique to create Reuben's intimidating presence.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026
“Alfred was a man of powerful physique, and had the brains and executive powers of a major-general,” the tutor recalled.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
I look at some of the physiques that step up on stage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
"I am genuinely worried for the young lads growing up and seeing these unrealistic physiques on Instagram," Whaite said in the tearful video.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2025
Excerpts from a women’s soccer match play on a screen; she says nothing, her slouching body in silent contrast to the athletes’ lean physiques.
From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
Women also tend to feel cold differently because of our typically smaller, less muscular physiques, though that vulnerability applies to all genders.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2023
If fine bodies and impressive physiques were essential to being a leader I saw that few among us would have qualified.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
