corporeal

adjective

cor·​po·​re·​al kȯr-ˈpȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce corporeal (audio)
1
: having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body: such as
a
: not spiritual
… some few traces of a diviner nature which look out through his corporeal baseness …Robert Browning
b
: not immaterial or intangible : substantial
corporeal property
2
archaic : corporal
corporeally adverb
corporealness noun

Did you know?

In various religions, including Christianity, corporeal existence is often called the opposite of spiritual existence, and corporeal existence, unlike spiritual existence, is often said to be contaminated with evil. The word is also often used by philosophers, especially when considering the nature of reality. For lawyers, corporeal describes physical property such as houses or cars, as opposed to something valuable but nonphysical like a good reputation.

Choose the Right Synonym for corporeal

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

Examples of corporeal in a Sentence

the corporeal nature of matter corporeal cravings such as hunger and thirst
Recent Examples on the Web But maybe now co-presence is sounding a little better, and corporeal vulnerability a little less scary. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024 Taylor set out to prove a point that tap is jazz of any era, approaching the music with unparalleled corporeal and spiritual reverence. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2024 Virginity was a corporeal asset that could lose all its value in an instant. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024 Here again is a work of art in which every letter as well as every word has been studied and put into its fit place, which is a puzzle to the intellectual powers and utter gibberish to the corporeal understanding. John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for corporeal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corporeal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corporealle, from Latin corporeus "having a body, physical" (from corpor-, corpus "body" + -eus -eous) + -alle -al entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corporeal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near corporeal

Cite this Entry

“Corporeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corporeal. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

corporeal

adjective
cor·​po·​re·​al kȯr-ˈpōr-ē-əl How to pronounce corporeal (audio)
-ˈpȯr-
: having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body
corporeally adverb

Medical Definition

corporeal

adjective
cor·​po·​re·​al kȯr-ˈpōr-ē-əl, -ˈpȯr- How to pronounce corporeal (audio)
: having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body

Legal Definition

corporeal

adjective
cor·​po·​re·​al kȯr-ˈpōr-ē-əl How to pronounce corporeal (audio)
: having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body compare incorporeal
corporeally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on corporeal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!