bodily

[ bod-l-ee ]

/ ˈbɒd l i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bodily ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to the body.

corporeal or material, as contrasted with spiritual or mental.

adverb

as a physical entity; as a complete physical unit: The tornado picked him up bodily and threw him against the wall.

in person: You have to appear bodily at the box office in order to have your reservation confirmed.

Nearby words

bodhrán, bodice, bodice ripper, bodied, bodiless, bodily, boding, bodkin, bodleian, bodley, bodmin

Origin of bodily

First recorded in 1250–1300, bodily is from the Middle English word bodylich. See body, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR bodily

2 See physical.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bodily ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

non·bod·i·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bodily

Coren said she never felt she was at risk of bodily harm, even as the bullets flew.
CNN's Overnight Sydney Star|Lloyd Grove|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At that point, a gravely ill person would have to somehow get their bodily fluids into your system.
Republicans Want You Scared of Ebola|Dean Obeidallah|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, there are real rules to Ebola, and they have to do with incubation periods, bodily fluids, and other scientific facts.
Liberian Pastors Blame Ebola on Gays, The Right Blames Obama|Jay Michaelson|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Traveling through the bodily fluids of an infected person, Ebola enters through a mucous membrane or break in the skin.
Blood Is Ebola’s Weapon and Weakness|Abby Haglage|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

According to news reports, the transmission of Ebola requires exposure to bodily fluids.
NBC Cameraman Gets Ebola, News Crew to Be Quarantined|Lloyd Grove|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All persons who speak of their ailings, diseases, or bodily infirmities, are offensive bores.
Martine's Hand-book of Etiquette, and Guide to True Politeness|Arthur Martine
The bodily fatigue thus induced, especially when coupled with a reduced diet, is a reliable cure for undue sexual desires.
The Soul of the Indian|[AKA Ohiyesa], Charles A. Eastman
He grew suddenly aware of this enveloping shroud of sand—as the raw material of bodily expression: Form.
Four Weird Tales|Algernon Blackwood
On the other hand, all are familiar with the truth that bodily activity deadens emotion.
Illustrations of Universal Progress|Herbert Spencer
The bodily form often follows that of fathers of a fair race, it is said.
Sutherland and Caithness in Saga-Time|James Gray

British Dictionary definitions for bodily

bodily

/ (ˈbɒdɪlɪ) /

adjective

relating to or being a part of the human body

adverb

by taking hold of the bodyhe threw him bodily from the platform

in person; in the flesh

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012