bodily

1 of 2

adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbä-də-lē 

1

: having a body : physical

2

: of or relating to the body

bodily comfort

bodily organs

bodily

2 of 2

adverb

1

a

: in the flesh

b

: in a manner that involves physically moving someone's body

The blast lifted him bodily into the air.

Jerry Wexler called him a "parasite" and threw him bodily out of his office.

—Jack Kroll

2

: as a whole : altogether

Synonyms

Adjective

• animal
• carnal
• corporal
• corporeal
• fleshly
• material
• physical
• somatic

Examples of bodily in a Sentence

Adjective

The victim suffered serious bodily injury.

the old man suffered from a number of bodily ailments

Adverb

The blast lifted him bodily into the air.

The house will have to be moved bodily to the new site.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Tune into any bodily responses (ease, tension, vitality, etc.). —Nancy Zamierowski, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

That’s why Florida must implement mandatory bodily injury (BI) liability insurance. —Richard D Schuler, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025

Adverb

Forty-six other states require bodily injury liability coverage, and their average premiums are lower than ours. —Richard D Schuler, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025

Lymphatic drainage is becoming an increasingly popular way to promote bodily detox. —Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bodily

• caudally

Kids Definition

bodily

1 of 2 adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē 

: of or relating to the body : physical

bodily

2 of 2 adverb

1

: in the flesh : by the body

removed them bodily

2

: as a whole : entirely

Medical Definition

bodily

adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē 

: of or relating to the body

bodily organs