bodily

American  

[bod-l-ee] / ˈbɒd l i /

adjective

1. of or relating to the body.

2. corporeal or material, as contrasted with spiritual or mental.

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adverb

1. as a physical entity; as a complete physical unit.

   The tornado picked him up bodily and threw him against the wall.

2. in person.

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

bodily British  

/ ˈbɒdɪlɪ /

adjective

1. relating to or being a part of the human body

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adverb

1. by taking hold of the body

   he threw him bodily from the platform

2. in person; in the flesh

Related Words

See physical.

Other Word Forms

• nonbodily adjective

Etymology

Origin of bodily

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

Example Sentences

He repeated the tests many times, altering the phrases to include words drawn from categories such as bodily references, film noir-style atmosphere and technical jargon.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Mar Monte leaders say the expanded options—which they soft-launched for current patients and friends—fit with a larger mission of promoting bodily autonomy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

The Times talked to Nemens about favoring friendship on the page, bodily autonomy and her influences including California artist Wayne Thiebaud — whose painting “Supine Woman” is featured on the cover of her novel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

This system, which uses the neurotransmitter norepinephrine to regulate cognition and bodily functions, is known to fluctuate during normal sleep.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Color smudges streak across it and display Princess Sabine's chosen skin, hair, and eye color palette, and bodily proportions.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• physical