Physical — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈfi-zi-kəl/ phys·i·cal

Meaning & Definition of Physical

Physical (adjective)

  1. of or relating to natural science
  2. of or relating to physics
  3. characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics

Physical (noun)

  1. physical examination

Physical (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of or relating to the human body

    "physical sensations such as heat and pain"

    similar: animal, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, material, somatic
    related: anatomic, physiological, sensual, sensuous, hand-to-hand
    opposite: nonmaterial, nonphysical
    near: cerebral, inner, intellectual, mental, psychological, bodiless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, spiritual, ethereal, metaphysical, psychic

  2. relating to or composed of matter

    "couldn't tell the difference between a physical object and a shadow in the dim light"

    similar: concrete, material, substantial
    related: bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, embodied, fleshly, apparent, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, seeable, sensible, tangible, touchable, visible, objective, phenomenal, bulky, heavy, hefty, massive, ponderous, solid, weighty
    opposite: immaterial, nonmaterial, nonphysical
    near: bodiless, discarnate, disembodied, formless, incorporeal, unbodied, ethereal, insubstantial, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, unnoticeable, airy, diaphanous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish, metaphysical, spiritual

Related Entry: Physical therapy (noun)

Physical therapy is a different word from Physical. The synonyms below are for physical therapy, not for physical.

  1. the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, strengthening movements, heat, etc.

    similar: physiotherapy (chiefly British), activity, conditioning, exercise, exertion, training, warm-up, workout, toning, trimming, aerobics, athletics, bodybuilding, body mechanics, calisthenics, gymnastics, isometrics, plyometrics, slimnastics, weight lifting

Related Entry: Physical therapist (noun)

Physical therapist is a different word from Physical. The synonyms below are for physical therapist, not for physical.

  1. as in physiotherapist

    similar: physiotherapist, EMT, paramedic, aidman, nurse, nurse-practitioner, intern, resident, plastic surgeon, surgeon, specialist, attending, clinician, hospitalist, anesthesiologist, dermatologist, gynecologist, internist, neurologist, ob-gyn, obstetrician, ophthalmologist, orthopedist, pathologist, pediatrician, physiatrist, podiatrist, radiologist, urologist, family doctor, family physician, family practitioner, general practitioner
    opposite: nondoctor, nonphysician

Related Entry: Physical therapists (noun)

Physical therapists is a different word from Physical. The synonyms below are for physical therapists, not for physical.

  1. as in physiotherapists

    similar: physiotherapists, EMTs, paramedics, aidmen, nurse-practitioners, nurses, interns, residents, plastic surgeons, surgeons, specialists, attendings, clinicians, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, gynecologists, internists, neurologists, ob-gyns, obstetricians, ophthalmologists, orthopedists, pathologists, pediatricians, physiatrists, podiatrists, radiologists, urologists, family doctors, family physicians, family practitioners, general practitioners
    opposite: nondoctors, nonphysicians

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Physical

The most common words with a similar meaning to Physical:

animal, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, material, somatic, concrete, substantial

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Physical

Words with the opposite meaning of Physical:

nonmaterial, nonphysical, immaterial

Related Words for Physical

anatomic, physiological, sensual, sensuous, hand-to-hand, embodied, apparent, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, seeable, sensible, tangible, touchable, visible, objective, phenomenal, bulky, heavy, hefty, massive, ponderous, solid, weighty

Near Antonyms of Physical

cerebral, inner, intellectual, mental, psychological, bodiless, incorporeal, insubstantial, spiritual, ethereal, metaphysical, psychic, discarnate, disembodied, formless, unbodied, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, unnoticeable, airy, diaphanous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish

Word Forms of Physical

Derived words: physicalness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Physical

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

First known use: 1547

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Physical

Words & Phrases Containing Physical

physical anthropology, physical distance, physical distancing, physical education, physical examination, physical geography, physical medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation

Frequently Asked Questions about Physical

What does "Physical" mean?

"Physical" means of or relating to natural science. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of or relating to natural science. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Physical"?

Other words for "Physical" include animal, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, material and somatic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Physical" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Physical"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Physical". Common alternatives include animal, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, material, somatic, concrete and substantial.

What is the opposite of "Physical"?

Antonyms of "Physical" include nonmaterial, nonphysical and immaterial. Near antonyms include cerebral, inner, intellectual and mental.

How do you use "Physical" in a sentence?

Examples of "Physical" in a sentence: "physical sensations such as heat and pain"; "couldn't tell the difference between a physical object and a shadow in the dim light".

Is "Physical" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Physical" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Physical" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Physical" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Physical"?

"Physical" is pronounced /ˈfi-zi-kəl/ and divided into syllables as phys·i·cal.