PHYSICAL

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does physical mean? 

• PHYSICAL (adjective)
  The adjective PHYSICAL has 7 senses:

1. involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

2. relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy; especially physics

3. having substance or material existence; perceptible to the senses

4. according with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter)

5. characterized by energetic bodily activity

6. impelled by physical force especially against resistance

7. concerned with material things

  Familiarity information: PHYSICAL used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHYSICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

Context example:

was sloppy about everything but her physical appearance

Similar:

animal; carnal; fleshly; sensual (marked by the appetites and passions of the body)

bodily; corporal; corporeal; somatic (affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit)

material (concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being)

personal (intimately concerning a person's body or physical being)

physiologic; physiological (of or consistent with an organism's normal functioning)

somatogenetic; somatogenic (of or arising from physiological causes rather than being psychogenic in origin)

Antonym:

mental (involving the mind or an intellectual process)

Derivation:

physicality (preoccupation with satisfaction of physical drives and appetites)

physicalness (the quality of being physical; consisting of matter)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy; especially physics

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

physical laws

Pertainym:

physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Derivation:

physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having substance or material existence; perceptible to the senses

Context example:

surrounded by tangible objects

Similar:

material (derived from or composed of matter)

Derivation:

physicalness (the quality of being physical; consisting of matter)

Sense 4

Meaning:

According with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter)

Context example:

a reflex response to physical stimuli

Similar:

natural (existing in or in conformity with nature or the observable world; neither supernatural nor magical)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Characterized by energetic bodily activity

Context example:

a very physical dance performance

Similar:

energetic (possessing or exerting or displaying energy)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Impelled by physical force especially against resistance

Synonyms:

forcible; physical; strong-arm

Context example:

strong-arm tactics

Similar:

forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))

Sense 7

Meaning:

Concerned with material things

Context example:

the physical size of a computer

Similar:

material (derived from or composed of matter)

Derivation:

physicalness (the quality of being physical; consisting of matter)

 Context examples 

Astronomers will continue collect observations to further characterize the comet's physical properties (size, rotation, etc.) and also continue to better identify its trajectory.

(Newly Discovered Comet Is Likely Interstellar Visitor, NASA)

The next step is making the device more efficient and making a physical computer that could work in the highest of temperatures, he added.

(Harnessing Heat to Power Computers, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

According to the World Health Organization, about 3.2 million deaths each year are down to people not doing enough physical activity.

(Reduce Risk of Early Death with Any Amount of Running, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

However, the researchers did not identify any relationship between sedentary time or physical activity levels and glycaemic and lipid markers.

(A new study highlights the importance of undertaking physical activity of moderate–vigorous intensity during the early weeks of pregnancy, University of Granada)

It makes physical and social activities difficult, creates work hardships, and may result in detrimental emotional conditions.

(Study finds link between long-term exposure to air pollution and emphysema, National Institutes of Health)

I suggest you not do any extreme sports over this weekend either, because sometimes Mars has a physical rather than emotional manifestation.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

His wretched physical condition explained why he lingered; and when he had recuperated, after several days' sojourn, he disappeared.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Though in splendid physical trim, a thirty-six-hour trick at the wheel was the limit of my endurance.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I have never known my friend to be in better form, both mental and physical, than in the year ’95.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As expected, the researchers found that more physical activity was associated with better motor function.

(Physical Activity May Reduce Age-Related Movement Problems, NIH)