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

Bananas provide health benefits that affect many of your bodily systems, and your heart is no exception. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025

Medical queasiness and gory bodily intrusions have been a specialty of Ducournau (both of whose parents are doctors) since Raw, which turned a veterinary school into a feeding ground for two cannibal sisters. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025

Adverb

Changes in the air pressure within the mat record bodily, respiratory, and even cardiac motion. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 May 2025

Women will learn what bodily changes to expect after giving birth, how to prepare for childbirth and how to maximize recovery. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 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