physical
Noun pluralphysicals
Pluralphysicals
- 1Having to do with your body, not your mind or feelings.
Your body is like a car, and your mind is like the driver.
Running and jumping are good physical exercise.
After the fall, she had no physical injuries, but she was very scared.
UsagePhysical is the opposite of mental: physical health.
Oppositemental, psychological, spiritual
- 2Real and able to be touched, not just an idea or a thought.
A book is a physical thing, but a story is not.
The store sells physical copies of the game, not just downloads.
UsageSay a physical copy of a game.
Similartangible, material, concrete
Oppositeintangible, virtual
Note
- 3Using the body with force, like pushing or hitting.
Hockey is a physical game, with players crashing into each other.
The argument got loud, but it never turned physical.
UsageSay a physical game for one with a lot of contact.
Similarrough, aggressive, violent, forceful
Oppositegentle
Note
- 4Following the laws of nature, or connected with the science of physics.
Gravity is a physical force that pulls things toward the ground.
It is a physical fact that water boils at a lower temperature high in the mountains.
Note
- 5A check by a doctor to make sure your body is healthy.
Every student needs a physical before joining the soccer team.
The doctor gave him a physical and said his heart sounded fine.
UsageSay get a physical at the doctor's.
Similarcheckup
Less common meanings
- 6
- 7Showing the natural shape of the land, like mountains and rivers, instead of country borders.
The physical map showed the desert in brown and the mountains in dark green.
Our teacher asked us to find the longest river on the physical map.
UsageSay a physical map.
- 8Having to do with medicine or doctors, or good for your health.
Note
- 9Good for your health, or helpful in curing sickness.
Phisicall [translating φαρμακώδεις (pharmakṓdeis)] herbes, as Helleborum, Lingewort, or Beares foote.
1579, Thomas North, translating PlinyHere, Phisicall means used as medicine, so these herbs can heal.Is 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”Here, physical means good for your health, so the question is whether it is healthy.Note
- 10A solid thing that some people believe a spirit can make appear.
"I don't mind readings and clairvoyance, but the physicals do try you."
1925, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The Land of MistHere, physicals means solid forms said to appear through spirit powers at a séance.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came from Latin physica, meaning "the study of nature." That came from a Greek word meaning "natural," from a root meaning "to grow."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Physical derives ultimately through Latin physica, meaning study of nature. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin physica came from Greek. en.wiktionary.org
- The Greek adjective underlying physica means natural. en.wiktionary.org
- The etymological chain includes a base meaning to grow. en.wikipedia.org