physical

American  

[fiz-i-kuhl] / ˈfɪz ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. 

   of or relating to the body.

   physical exercise.

   Synonyms:

   fleshly, somatic

2. of or relating to that which is material.

   the physical universe; the physical sciences.

   Synonyms:

   palpable, tangible

3. noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.

4. pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics.

5. carnal; sexual.

   a physical attraction.

6. tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative.

   a physical person.

7. requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity.

   Football is a physical sport.

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noun

• physicals
  plural

1. physical examination.

physical British  

/ ˈfɪzɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit

2. of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature

   the physical universe

3. involving or requiring bodily contact

   rugby is a physical sport

4. of or concerned with matter and energy

5. of or relating to physics

6. perceptible to the senses; apparent

   a physical manifestation

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noun

1. short for physical examination

physical Idioms  

1. see get physical.

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Synonym Usage

Physical, bodily, corporeal, corporal agree in pertaining to the body. Physical indicates connected with, pertaining to, the animal or human body as a material organism: physical strength, exercise. Bodily means belonging to, concerned with, the human body as distinct from the mind or spirit: bodily pain or suffering. Corporeal, a more poetic and philosophical word than bodily, refers especially to the mortal substance of which the human body is composed as opposed to spirit: this corporeal habitation. Corporal is now usually reserved for reference to whippings and other punishments inflicted on the human body.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiphysicalness
  noun
• physicalness
  noun
• antiphysical
  adjective
• nonphysical
  adjective
• quasi-physical
  adjective
• transphysical
  adjective
• unphysical
  adjective
• antiphysically
  adverb
• nonphysically
  adverb
• physically
  adverb
• quasi-physically
  adverb
• transphysically
  adverb
• unphysically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• physicals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of physical

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin physicālis “concerning medicine.” See physic, -al ¹

Explanation

When something is physical it's really there. You can see it, touch it, taste it, hear it, or smell it. The physical world is all of the stuff around you. When your doctor performs a physical, he or she is checking out your physical self. They're probably going to take your temperature, draw blood and listen to your heart and lungs. You may be asked a mental health question or two, but they're not going to ask you how you feel about God or what the meaning of life is. In physical education, you do physical activity. You move your body to make it healthier.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

physical physicals

I ask her whether she truly believes that memory doesn’t depend on physical or material sites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Staging that key three minutes of the show’s meticulously choreographed, highly anticipated climax, is a technical feat involving more than 100 gallons of water and unwavering physical acumen on the part of the cast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

A company’s free-cash-flow yield is its remaining cash flow after capital expenditures, or spending on physical assets.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

According to Yorgason, those interactions may help explain why shared physical activity was associated with healthier communication and better conflict resolution.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

“Your physical body dissolves, your sunsum dissipates into the air, and your spirit goes to whatever underworld you are most tied to.”

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

This cost covers routine primary care visits, from annual physicals to chronic disease management.

From Slate ● Aug. 22, 2026

Founded in 1778, the luxury outpost has hosted U.S. presidents, royalty and the rich and famous who now come for golf and $3,500 executive physicals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

The White House typically releases physician-written memos summarizing presidential physicals, translating full medical records into condensed clinical findings for public release.

From Salon ● May 31, 2026

Insurance coverage protects teams from having to pay a player for time missed because of an injury stemming from the WBC, which requires participants to undergo entrance and exit physicals to document injury information.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026

We both pass our physicals later that afternoon, but we don’t talk about basketball.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

• environmental
• natural
• real
• substantial