Physical

/ˈfɪz.ɪ.kl̩/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A physical examination.
  • Grammar: physical is listed as adj, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: abiotic community, abiotic material, active, actual.
  • Useful contrasts: having to do with the mind, mental, psychical.
  • Usage evidence: Scientists deal mainly with physical matters.

How to use "physical"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "physical" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "physical" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "physical" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "physical" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "physical" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "abiotic community" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "physical", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A physical examination.

    "How long has it been since your last physical?"

  2. 2
    A physical manifestation of psychic origin, as through ectoplasmic solidification.

    ""I don't mind readings and clairvoyance, but the physicals do try you.""

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of medicine.; Pertaining to the field of medicine; medical. obsolete
  2. 2
    Of medicine.; That practises medicine; pertaining to doctors, physicianly. obsolete

    "Her father was thrown from his horse, when his blood was in a very inflammatory state, and the bruises were very dangerous; his recovery was not expected by the physical tribe."

  3. 3
    Of medicine.; Medicinal; good for the health, curative, therapeutic. obsolete

    "Phisicall [translating φαρμακώδεις (pharmakṓdeis)] herbes, as Helleborum, Lingewort, or Beares foote."

  4. 4
    Of matter and nature.; Pertaining to the world as understood through the senses rather than the mind; tangible, concrete; real. Having to do with the material world.

    "Labour, then, in the physical world, is […] employed in putting objects in motion."

  5. 5
    Of matter and nature.; In accordance with the laws of nature; now specifically, pertaining to physics.

    "The substance has a number of interesting physical properties."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    Of matter and nature.; Denoting a map showing natural features of the landscape (compare political).
  2. 7
    Of the human body.; Having to do with the body as opposed to the mind; corporeal, bodily.

    "Insults can hurt a lot more than physical injuries."

  3. 8
    Of the human body.; Sexual, carnal.

    "to get physical"

  4. 9
    Of the human body.; Involving bodily force or contact; vigorous, aggressive.

    "This team plays a very physical game, so watch out."

Adjective
  1. 1
    having substance or material existence; perceptible to the senses wordnet
  2. 2
    concerned with material things wordnet
  3. 3
    impelled by physical force especially against resistance wordnet
  4. 4
    characterized by energetic bodily activity wordnet
  5. 5
    according with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter) wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit wordnet
  2. 7
    relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy; especially physics wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
abiotic communityabiotic materialactiveactualadamicaerophysical

Antonyms

having to do with the mindmentalpsychicalpsychological

Example

"Scientists deal mainly with physical matters."

Common questions

What does "physical" mean?

A physical examination.

What is a synonym for "physical"?

Common synonyms include: abiotic community, abiotic material, active, actual, adamic, aerophysical.

How do you use "physical" in a sentence?

Scientists deal mainly with physical matters.

How do you pronounce "physical"?

Pronounced /ˈfɪz.ɪ.kl̩/.

Etymology

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”).

More for "physical"

Synonyms

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