physical

1 of 2

adjective

phys·​i·​cal ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce physical (audio)
Synonyms of physical
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 resistance …—Thomas 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
ˈfi-zi-kəl-nəs How to pronounce physical (audio)
noun

physical

2 of 2

noun

: physical examination

Synonyms of physical

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech? — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail. — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
If someone’s been at the doctor’s office for a physical, they might have been asked to walk in a straight line with one foot directly in front of the other. — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 The screening process for the Bracero Program was invasive — workers were forced to undergo physicals to test their strength and were sprayed with pesticide upon arrival. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physical

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English phisicale medical, from Medieval Latin physicalis, from Latin physica

First Known Use

Adjective

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physical was in 1547

Phrases Containing physical

Rhymes for physical

See All Rhymes for physical

Browse Nearby Words

physic
physical
physical anthropology
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce physical (audio)
adverb

physical

2 of 2 noun
: physical examination
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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