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physical

phy·si·cal

US/ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl/ common

adjective

1.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

  • “physical exercise”
  • “physical suffering”
  • “was sloppy about everything but her physical appearance”
Antonyms
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2.

relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy; especially physics

  • “physical sciences”
  • “physical laws”
3.

having substance or material existence; perceptible to the senses

  • “a physical manifestation”
  • “surrounded by tangible objects”
Synonyms
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4.

according with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter)

  • “a reflex response to physical stimuli”
Similar
5.

characterized by energetic bodily activity

  • “tennis is an active sport”
  • “a very physical dance performance”
Synonyms
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6.

concerned with material things

  • “physical properties”
  • “the physical characteristics of the earth”
  • “the physical size of a computer”
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7.

impelled by physical force especially against resistance

  • “forcible entry”
  • “a real cop would get physical”
  • “strong-arm tactics”
Synonyms
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Origin

Borrowed from Late Latin physicālis, from Latin physica (“study of nature”), from Ancient Greek φυσική (phusikḗ), feminine singular of φυσικός (phusikós, “natural; physical”), from φύσις (phúsis, “origin, birth; nature, quality; form, shape; type, kind”), from φῠ́ω (phŭ́ō, “grow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to appear, become, rise up”).

Phrases

  • get physical
  • physical anthropology
  • physical body
  • physical break
  • physical change
  • physical chemistry
  • physical comedy
  • physical constant

Related words

Word family

Pertaining to

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.