physique

noun

phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk How to pronounce physique (audio)
: the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup

Example Sentences

she had a well-toned physique
Recent Examples on the Web Its broad physique also extends to its generous interior with impressive cabin space and ample room to accommodate cargo.† Inside, the CX-90 Inline 6 Turbo Signature model includes Nappa leather, natural maple wood, and tone-on-tone fabrics in synthesis. Mara Balagtas Mcilwrath, Car and Driver, 25 May 2023 Apetamin is a weight gain supplement that has gained popularity on social media among people who want to enhance their physique. Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 17 May 2023 Heavy is the crown Almost immediately after the Liver King burst onto the social media scene, he was met with speculation by other fitness social media personalities that his hulking physique might actually be the product of anabolic steroids. Matt Gutman, ABC News, 13 May 2023 In some ways, P-22 was irresistible to his hometown’s star-making machinery, with his sandy hair, muscular physique and compelling back story. Jill Cowan, New York Times, 4 May 2023 These ads frequently star very of-the-moment celebrities like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jacob Elordi whose muscular physiques can be relied on to look good in the staple underwear and, increasingly, provoke a thirsty response on social media. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 13 Apr. 2023 What if the governor generously stuffed a bra in his attempt to approximate the singer’s famous physique? Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023 Now, people will pay money to take on the same physique that was once part of Black women's identity. Suzette Hackney, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2023 At sixty-one, Klain has a thick brush of dark hair, the physique of a tenured professor, and a sense of humor about Washington’s absurdities. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2023 See More

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

French, from physique physical, bodily, from Latin physicus of nature, from Greek physikos

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physique was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near physique

Cite this Entry

“Physique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physique. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

physique

noun
phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk How to pronounce physique (audio)
: the build of a person's body

Medical Definition

physique

noun
phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk How to pronounce physique (audio)
: the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup
a muscular physique

More from Merriam-Webster on physique

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