physique

noun

phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk 

: the form or structure of an animal's body and especially a human body : bodily makeup

Synonyms of physique

• shape
• frame
• figure
• form

Examples of physique in a Sentence

she had a well-toned physique

Recent Examples on the Web

One rarely gains a sense of what people look like (beyond the son’s bulky physique and shambling movements, in which the mother ‘caught a flash of her brother’). —Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Thanks in part to Ozempic, thin is back in, with once-plus-size celebrities sporting svelter physiques, and some already-slim stars now verging on gaunt. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026

Part of this reflects the culture in South Korea, where rigid beauty standards have traditionally valued fair skin, slender physiques and hyper-feminine features. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026

Egg’s plucky insolence belies his puny size, a comedic contrast with Claffey’s ex-rugby player physique, and perhaps his seemingly humble origins as well. —Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for physique

• antique
• batik
• bespeak
• boutique
• cacique
• comique
• critique
• grosbeak
• midweek
• mystique
• oblique
• pratique

Kids Definition

physique

noun

phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk 

: the build of a person's body

Medical Definition

physique

noun

phy·​sique fə-ˈzēk 

: the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup

a muscular physique