physical
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the body.
physical exercise.
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of or relating to that which is material.
the physical universe; the physical sciences.
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noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
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pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics. physics.
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carnal; sexual.
a physical attraction.
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tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative.
a physical person.
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requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity.
Football is a physical sport.
noun
adjective
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of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit
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of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature
the physical universe
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involving or requiring bodily contact
rugby is a physical sport
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of or concerned with matter and energy
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of or relating to physics
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perceptible to the senses; apparent
a physical manifestation
noun
Related Words
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
- antiphysical adjective
- antiphysically adverb
- antiphysicalness noun
- nonphysical adjective
- nonphysically adverb
- physically adverb
- physicalness noun
- quasi-physical adjective
- quasi-physically adverb
- transphysical adjective
- transphysically adverb
- unphysical adjective
- unphysically adverb
Etymology
Origin of physical
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin physicālis “concerning medicine.” See physic, -al 1
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.
Further out on the horizon, some elevator manufacturers are exploring the possibility of reshaping cities with magnetic-levitation, or maglev, technology, which uses powerful magnetic fields to lift and propel vehicles without physical contact.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Crucially, researchers estimate that breaking the elliptic curve cryptography protecting Bitcoin and most major cryptos could require fewer than 500,000 physical qubits on a superconducting quantum computer.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
The consuming passion of her work is not what it used to be because it’s physical.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
He helps with physical care for his mum, as well as supporting his dad with things such as cooking dinner and cleaning the home.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Many parents liked what they saw in their children: the discipline, physical fitness, diligence, pursuit of excellence, pride in national heritage, and a sense of purpose.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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.
