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
Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie established the fund in 1904 to recognize those who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Doug Thompson, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024 On the other: What about the question of physical safety? Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 Mar. 2024 As streetwear has become more popular over the years and online shopping has rendered physical stores less ubiquitous with the cycles of hype and aspiration. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024 Now, a coroner’s report has reportedly found that the boy died of a heart defect, with heat and physical exertion as contributing factors. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 Tough Mudder, the military-style endurance experience—where contestants looking to test their mental and physical limits can take on 5K to 24-hour muddy obstacle courses that require them to run, jump, crawl, climb and swim—was the exception to this rule. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 24 Mar. 2024 Bruce Springsteen is getting candid about the physical toll that peptic ulcer disease took on him. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 In addition, Tipton said, studies in the review did not compare the impact of ice water with any other physical activity such as indoor swimming, yoga or walking. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Palm Royale, which Wiig also executive produces, makes use of some of the SNL alumna’s particular gifts, like her knack for physical comedy and her ability to find the humanity in a character doing something unsympathetic, in this case lying and scheming to be accepted by a group of wealthy women. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
Maye plans to only do interviews and physicals with teams in Indianapolis. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024 After Paxton’s physical, the two sides went back to work, restructuring the contract to assuage some of the Dodgers’ concerns about the left-hander’s injury history. Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 10 Feb. 2024 The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement for the 39-year-old was subject to a successful physical. Rob Gillies, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 When Lynch and Kyle Shanahan arrived in 2017, Lynch established an annual physical for members of the personnel department. Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 Key Facts Trump, joining a coalition of Republicans, made the demand on Truth Social on Thursday, a day after Biden underwent his annual physical and as the president faces persistent concerns about his age. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 History of the annual physical For most of the country’s history, the health of the president has been treated with an extreme degree of secrecy, Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 The contract will not become official until later in the week after Kershaw completes his physical. Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024 The contract will not be finalized until Santana passes a physical. Staff and Wire Reports, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2024

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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