physical

[ fiz-i-kuhl ]

/ ˈfɪz ɪ kəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR physical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to the body: physical exercise.

of or relating to that which is material: the physical universe; the physical sciences.

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

pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics.

carnal; sexual: a physical attraction.

tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative: a physical person.

requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity: Football is a physical sport.

noun

physical examination.

Nearby words

physiatrics, physiatrist, physiatry, physic, physic nut, physical, physical allergy, physical anthropology, physical capital, physical change, physical chemistry

Origin of physical

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin physicālis concerning medicine. See physic, -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR physical

1 somatic; fleshly. 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.

2 tangible, palpable.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR physical ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

phys·i·cal·ly, adverbphys·i·cal·ness, nounan·ti·phys·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·phys·i·cal·ly, adverb

an·ti·phys·i·cal·ness, nounnon·phys·i·cal, adjectivenon·phys·i·cal·ly, adverbqua·si-phys·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-phys·i·cal·ly, adverbtrans·phys·i·cal, adjectivetrans·phys·i·cal·ly, adverbun·phys·i·cal, adjectiveun·phys·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for physicals

Hubbard in the Navy Before World War II, Hubbard received his Naval Reserve commission despite failing his physicals.
15 Scientology Revelations From Lawrence Wright’s ‘Going Clear’|The Daily Beast|January 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Preventive screenings, such as annual physicals, well-baby visits, and mammograms provided free of charge.
Health-Care Reform's Big One-Year Anniversary|Andy Stern|March 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The tests were from morning till night and covered everything from physicals, eye, hearing and coordination to reaction time.
The Biography of a Rabbit|Roy Benson

British Dictionary definitions for physicals (1 of 2)

physicals

/ (ˈfɪzɪkəlz) /

pl n

commerce commodities that can be purchased and used, as opposed to those bought and sold in a futures marketAlso called: actuals

British Dictionary definitions for physicals (2 of 2)

physical

/ (ˈfɪzɪkəl) /

adjective

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

of, relating to, or resembling material things or naturethe physical universe

involving or requiring bodily contactrugby is a physical sport

of or concerned with matter and energy

of or relating to physics

perceptible to the senses; apparenta physical manifestation

noun

short for physical examination

Derived Forms

physically, adverbphysicalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for physicals

physical

[ fĭz′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit.

Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity.

Of or relating to material things.

Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.

n.

A physical examination.

Related forms

phys′i•cal′i•ty (-kăl′ĭ-tē) adj.

Idioms and Phrases with physicals

physical

see get physical.