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.
On his mother and step-father's ordeal, he said: "As the days go on, and the lack of contact continues, we are extremely worried about how they are mentally, physically, going to cope."
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
“We had genuine concerns whether he could even withstand a trial — physically, mentally.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
At the top is a stunning "Sky Room" with views over Chicago, where visitors can physically look through the words of Obama's speech.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
In February 2023, he took a “risky, physically demanding, clandestine trip” to war-torn Ukraine—“further evidence that in spite of his age he was still very much up to the job.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
I think it will be best for her to go to bed tired out physically, so I shall take her for a long walk by the cliffs to Robin Hood’s Bay and back.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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.
