adjective / noun
physical
Relating to the body rather than the mind.
Lifting a dumbbell helps build physical strength in the arms.
Etymology
The word family concerns nature and the material world. The bodily sense focuses that material existence on a person’s body as distinct from mental activity.
In context
This image shows the physical reality of a palm leaf manuscript, where the material is tightly bound with cords
More examples
- The job requires both physical effort and mental concentration.
- She starts physical therapy after knee surgery.
- Students need a physical before joining the basketball team.
Forms
physical · physicals
physically adverb — In a way that involves the body.
Similar words
- bodily
- Describes the body directly, especially its functions or sensations.
- checkup
- Names a routine examination and can also apply to equipment.