bodily
Americanadjective
-
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.
adjective
adverb
-
by taking hold of the body
he threw him bodily from the platform
-
in person; in the flesh
Synonym Usage
See physical.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bodily
First recorded in 1250–1300, bodily is from the Middle English word bodylich. See body, -ly
Explanation
The adjective bodily describes something that has to do with your physical self. Bodily functions include things that happen both inside your body, like digestion and breathing, and outside your body, like walking. If your new kitten scratches your arms, you might say that Mr. Whiskers has caused you bodily harm. In religion, bodily is sometimes used in contrast to "spiritual." As an adverb, this word can be used to mean "in a way that involves someone's body." Your little brother might sleep so soundly that when he falls asleep in the car, you have to carry him bodily into the house.
Vocabulary lists containing bodily
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.
Alexander disease can interfere with movement, thinking, and automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated materials.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Through his cellmate, Gershkovich learned the rules of Russian prison life, including how to perform various bodily functions in the cramped cell and how to comport himself with other inmates to stay safe.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
The Bill of Rights recognizes surrogates’ bodily autonomy and allows them to make all healthcare decisions for themselves and the pregnancy, including whether to terminate it.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
The tavern had been taken over bodily by British officers, chief among whom was Colonel Francis Smith.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
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.
