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.
"As much as I would love to, I don't think I'd physically be capable of doing that," he smiled.
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026
Approximately 32% improved cognitively, while 28% improved physically.
From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026
There’s nothing left that he has touched which hasn’t metaphorically or physically been destroyed.
From Salon • Jun. 19, 2026
Raden prefers to operate at “inbox zero,” but on Friday, she has 132 unread emails, which physically pains her.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
She's smarter than people think—she goes to school and everything—but she's not very physically coordinated, so she needs a lot of help with basic things.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
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.
