physically

adverb

phys·​i·​cal·​ly ˈfi-zi-k(ə-)lē 

1

: in a physical manner : in accord with physical laws

It seemed that such long distance flights would be physically impossible without a highly energy-efficient form of soaring.

—Henri Weimerskirch

2

: in respect to the body

a physically demanding job

Just two weeks before his death, Belushi was physically ejected from an L.A. convenience store at 2 a.m. when he insisted on buying liquor after hours.

—Peter Carlson

I loved it; but I was physically exhausted when I walked out of that studio on Sunday nights …

—Brent Musberger

Examples of physically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tactically and physically, Everton had been all at sea. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

Having a big back refers to someone who's physically big, or who draws gentle teasing for hogging food or being lazy. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

During interviews with the KBI, the deputies involved were asked if they had been taught what to do when someone shows compliance, either verbally or physically, court documents said. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025

This division of labor reportedly reduces one of the most physically demanding aspects of solar farm construction. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physically

• hyper-physically
• physically distance
• physically ill