physically
Americanadverb
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relating to the body or its appearance.
He is not physically attractive.
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according to what exists in the physical world as perceived by the senses.
It's not physically possible because of the laws of gravity.
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in a way that involves rough body contact or strenuous physical activity: a physically demanding sport.
a physically abusive spouse;
a physically demanding sport.
Etymology
Origin of physically
First recorded in 1580–90; physical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
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.
Gulf oil producers like Saudi Arabia are struggling, because they can’t physically get their exports to would-be buyers.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The emergence of extraordinary traits may depend not only on which genes an organism inherits, but also on how those genes are physically arranged and connected within the cell.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
In one of Transluce’s simulated conversations, the test account mentioned hearing and physically feeling a strange tone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Oscar Bergal, 28, was wounded in the neck during an ICE operation in the Bronx on Thursday, while a five-year-old child who was in his car at the time was physically unharmed.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
So if you ever need to defend yourself physically, try to be like my cat Daisy.”
From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee
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.
