physical

1 of 2

adjective

phys·​i·​cal ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce physical (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to natural science
b(1)
: of or relating to physics
(2)
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
2
a
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
everything physical is measurable by weight, motion, and resistanceThomas De Quincey
b
: of or relating to material things
3
a
: of or relating to the body
physical abuse
b(1)
: concerned or preoccupied with the body and its needs : carnal
physical appetites
(2)
: sexual
a physical love affair
physical attraction
c
: characterized by especially rugged and forceful physical activity : rough
a physical hockey game
a physical player
physicalness noun

physical

2 of 2

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for physical

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 physical in a Sentence

Adjective The program is designed to address both physical and emotional health. No physical contact with other players is allowed in the game. He has an unusual physical appearance. There was no physical evidence of the crime. Their relationship was purely physical.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The job requires hard, physical labor, for one thing, plus healthy doses of diplomacy and discretion. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023 Pricey Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 6 oz. Deanna Pai, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2023 Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental, physical, social, emotional and/or spiritual well-being. Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2023 The sales cycle is so slow that most deals close weeks or months after physical markets. John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Dec. 2023 This year’s event landed at the Avalon near Hollywood and Vine, with Calla and her team working through September on how to make the physical experience accessible for a broad range of people, inside and outside of the venue. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2023 In the filing, the actress asked for sole legal and physical custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Lula Boginia. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023 There’s also her millions of digital and physical album sales — the Lover artist has about five million, according Luminate — and merchandise sales, plus tickets sold for her Eras Tour. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2023 The agency has also collected video and physical evidence that links the same man to the three crimes. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
Noun
Recommendations From the Washington Post, a story on how girls are finding football physical and fun. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Great sound defensive, aggressive, strong physical. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2023 Crenshaw should be even stronger when two top players finish completing physicals to become eligible. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023 Bailey had been cleared by a cardiologist and passed his physicals to participate in athletics, his mother said. Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2023 With in-depth physicals, that could be safely extended at least five years. WSJ, 8 July 2023 New reports on Sunday ahead of the opener indicated that Taylor could pass a physical and have the minimum stay on the PUP list, returning in Week 5. Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023 Adams, who missed 16 of 17 games with the injury in 2022, cleared a physical and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Aug. 24. oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2023 All three trades are contingent on Simmons, Jones and Dobbs passing physicals. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physical.' 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

Adjective

Middle English phisicale medical, from Medieval Latin physicalis, from Latin physica

First Known Use

Adjective

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physical was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near physical

Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

physical

adjective
phys·​i·​cal
ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
a
: having material existence
b
: of or relating to material things
2
a
: of or relating to natural science
b
: of or relating to physics
3
: of or relating to the body : bodily
physically
-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

physical

1 of 2 adjective
phys·​i·​cal ˈfiz-i-kəl How to pronounce physical (audio)
1
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
2
a
: of or relating to physics
b
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
3
: of or relating to the body
physically adverb

physical

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on physical

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