physical
Noun pluralphysicals
Pluralphysicals
- 1Having to do with the body as distinct from the mind; bodily or corporeal.
Years of physical labor had left his hands rough and strong.
The therapist explained that grief can cause physical symptoms like fatigue and headaches.
UsageCommon in physical exercise, physical health, physical activity; the opposite is mental.
Oppositemental, psychological, spiritual
- 2Relating to the material world as perceived through the senses; tangible, concrete, real.
The museum preserves physical artifacts alongside its digital archives.
The lawyers requested physical evidence rather than relying on testimony alone.
UsageOften set against digital: physical copies, physical stores.
Similartangible, material, concrete
Oppositeintangible, virtual
Note
In The Economist of 2013, junk mail comes in physical and electronic varieties. The older contrast is with the mind: a place can be less a physical location than a state of mind. John Stuart Mill uses the physical world as philosophers do, for the realm of matter and motion.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- The Economist used physical and electronic to distinguish varieties of junk mail in 2013. en.wiktionary.org
- The contrast between physical reality and the mind predates the modern digital contrast. en.wiktionary.org
- John Stuart Mill uses physical world for the material realm, discussing matter and motion. en.wikisource.org
- 3Making use of bodily force or contact, often in a vigorous or aggressive way.
The defense played a physical style, wearing down the opposing forwards.
Witnesses said the confrontation became physical after several minutes of shouting.
UsageCan be graded: a very physical game, more physical. Turn physical means a quarrel became a fight.
Similarrough, aggressive, violent, forceful
Oppositegentle
Note
In sports talk it works as both description and warning. A physical side is hard to play against, and opponents should brace for contact.
- 4Conforming to the laws of nature, or in current use specifically relating to physics.
It's a physical impossibility for matter to travel faster than light in a vacuum.
She studied the physical properties of the new alloy, including its melting point and conductivity.
Note
The sense that keeps the word's origin closest to the surface. Late Latin physicalis comes from physica, "the study of nature", and ultimately from Greek physis, "nature". A word that once meant natural in general narrowed as that study became physics. Physical properties, physical theories and a physical impossibility all belong to the science. The same root once gave the old "medical" meaning.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- Physical derives from Late Latin physicalis, from Latin physica, meaning the study of nature. en.wiktionary.org
- The ultimate Greek root is physis, meaning nature. en.wiktionary.org
- The sense developed from a broader connection with nature to a specific connection with physics. en.wiktionary.org
- Physical formerly had a medical meaning under the same etymology. en.wiktionary.org
- 5A medical examination of the body, typically performed by a doctor to assess general health.
Pilots must pass regular physicals to keep their licenses.
During his annual physical, the doctor noticed his blood pressure was elevated.
UsageCommon in have a physical, an annual physical, pass a physical.
Similarcheckup
Less common meanings
- 6Sexual or carnal, as of desire, intimacy, or a relationship.
Their friendship slowly developed into a physical relationship.
She admitted the affair had been purely physical, with no deeper feelings involved.
UsageCommon in a physical relationship and get physical, which can also mean start a fight.
Oppositeplatonic
- 7Denoting a map that shows the natural features of the landscape, such as mountains and rivers, rather than political boundaries.
A physical map of South America highlights the Andes and the Amazon basin.
Unlike the political map on the opposite page, the physical map showed elevation instead of borders.
UsageMostly a physical map, set against a political map.
- 8Relating to medicine or physicians; medical, or good for the health.
Note
One of the old medical senses, all now obsolete, and all leaning on the old noun physic, meaning the healing art. Here the word meant what medical means today: physical studies, a physical treatise. Medical gradually took over that ground and left this use behind. Where an old text uses it this way, read it as medical, not bodily.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- The historical medical senses of physical are obsolete. en.wiktionary.org
- These senses relate to physic, an old noun meaning the healing art. en.wiktionary.org
- Physical could mean medical, making the illustrative phrases possible in that sense. en.wiktionary.org
- Old texts also use physical for bodily properties; the medical interpretation requires supporting context. en.wikisource.org
- 9Medicinal; beneficial to health, curative, or therapeutic.
Phisicall [translating φαρμακώδεις (pharmakṓdeis)] herbes, as Helleborum, Lingewort, or Beares foote.
1579, Thomas North, translating PlinyIs Brutus sick? and is it physical / To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours / Of the dank morning?
1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”Note
Here the word praises a remedy or a habit as good for you. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Portia asks whether it is physical to walk unbraced in the dank morning. That frame is typical: it is physical to do something, meaning healthy to do it. Herbs could be physical too, meaning medicinal. Modern readers should hear therapeutic there, not bodily.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Physical could describe something as medicinal or beneficial to health. en.wiktionary.org
- Portia asks the described question in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. shakespeare.mit.edu
- Herbs could be described as physical, meaning medicinal. en.wiktionary.org
- 10A material manifestation attributed to psychic forces, such as a form said to solidify from ectoplasm during a séance.
"I don't mind readings and clairvoyance, but the physicals do try you."
1925, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The Land of Mist
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
Ancient Greek phusikḗ ("natural, physical"), from phúsis ("nature, form, kind"), became Latin physica ("study of nature"). Late Latin built physicālis on it, and English borrowed that form. Behind phúsis lies phúō ("grow").
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 7 facts
- Ancient Greek phusikḗ means “natural, physical”; it is the feminine singular of phusikós, derived from phúsis. en.wiktionary.org
- Ancient Greek phúsis means “nature, form, kind”. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin physica was borrowed from Ancient Greek phusikḗ. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin physica means “study of nature”. en.wiktionary.org
- Late Latin physicālis was formed from physica. en.wiktionary.org
- English physical was borrowed from Late Latin physicālis. en.wiktionary.org
- Phúsis is etymologically connected with phúō, meaning “grow”. en.wiktionary.org