physique
Americannoun
-
physiques
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of physique
1820–30; < French < Latin physicus. See physic
Explanation
Physique is a word used to describe the form or shape of the human body. If you have a buff physique, you’re in great shape. Well done. Physique, pronounced "fiz-eek,” is from French for “physical.” Someone with a muscular physique has been getting physical in the gym. Everyone has a physique (except ghosts) but the word often refers to a muscular or well-sculpted body. Sometimes people who train for events like marathons or body-building competitions like to take pictures of their physiques before and after.
Vocabulary lists containing physique
And Then There Were None
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English Words Derived from French, List 4
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Dumplin'
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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.
See Examples For:
"I have seen such a huge change in my own physique and my capabilities – I am sure that my body is at least 20 years younger," she told BBC CWR.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Self-proclaimed experts online also sell advice vowing to help men "optimise" their physique.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The president’s son called Navarro “my boy” and complimented him on the “jacked” physique he developed while in prison.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
As I said, bulldogs have a unique physique that can age them more quickly.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
Leon looked as if he hadn’t spent five minutes in the exercise room since retiring from pro basketball; all that remained of his NBA physique was his height.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
I look at some of the physiques that step up on stage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
They show chiselled physiques, striking before‑and‑after images and claims that you can look years younger by following a simple routine.
From BBC ● May 7, 2026
Excerpts from a women’s soccer match play on a screen; she says nothing, her slouching body in silent contrast to the athletes’ lean physiques.
From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
Women also tend to feel cold differently because of our typically smaller, less muscular physiques, though that vulnerability applies to all genders.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2023
This highly refined coordination and cooperation must be multiplied out across eight individuals of varying statures and physiques to make the most of each individual’s strengths.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
