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

Oscar Wilde, for example, reposes beneath a hulking deity whose iconoclastic castration, back in 1961, did little to restrain pilgrims seeking to smear red lips across his stony physique. —Emily Cox, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026

The evolutionary pressure to maintain a lean physique for survival, such as avoiding predators like a hungry lion, has largely disappeared. —Kim Pfotenhauer, The Conversation, 22 May 2026

Then these same superhero physiques appeared in rom-coms and dramas as regular-degular guys, muscles included. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 13 May 2026

Bueckers’ new physique was on full display during the Dallas Wings’ first two games against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 9 and the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, May 12. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 13 May 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