Search

of or relating to the body:
physical exercise.
of or relating to that which is material:
the physical universe; the physical sciences.
noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
pertaining to the physical sciences, especially .
carnal; sexual:
a physical attraction.
tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative:
a physical person.
requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity:
Football is a physical sport.
.
Contemporary Examples

So I think that any physical activity would be better than nothing.
Study: Exercise Could Be The Key to Mitigating the Christmas Weight Damage Jesse Singal December 26, 2013

Mental health needs to be taken as seriously as physical health; the two are inseparable.
Mara Wilson Remembers Robin Williams: We’re All His Goddamn Kids Mara Wilson August 17, 2014

“Our hypothesis is that maintenance of physical activity—specifically swimming—preserves higher brain activity,” he says.
Swimming to Health? Excerpt of Lynn Sherr’s ‘Swim: Why We Love the Water’ Lynn Sherr April 7, 2012

They describe being scared and in physical and emotional pain.
Spanking for Jesus: Inside the Unholy World of ‘Christian Domestic Discipline’ Brandy Zadrozny June 18, 2013

This is what Jake has to do, letting go of his attachment to his physical body.
The Tantric Sex in Avatar Asra Q. Nomani March 3, 2010

Historical Examples

Back in the physical reality, of course, no one else can hear her voice.
The Gallery Roger Phillips Graham

physical pain has always been one of the great sources of fear.
The Conquest of Fear Basil King

Her physical purity was desecrated by—she wouldn’t think of it.
In the Wilderness Robert Hichens

I am not condemning the physical alleviation of pain or the progress of physical science.
The Conquest of Fear Basil King

They have traced the physical results of vice, and have foreshadowed its course.
The History of Prostitution William W. Sanger

adjective
of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit
of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature: the physical universe
involving or requiring bodily contact: rugby is a physical sport
of or concerned with matter and energy
of or relating to physics
perceptible to the senses; apparent: a physical manifestation
noun
short for physical examination
adj.

early 15c., “of or pertaining to material nature” (in medicine, opposed to surgical), from Medieval Latin physicalis “of nature, natural,” from Latin physica “study of nature” (see physic). Meaning “pertaining to matter” is from 1590s; meaning “having to do with the body, corporeal” is attested from 1780. Meaning “characterized by bodily attributes or activities” is attested from 1970. Physical education first recorded 1838; abbreviated form phys ed is from 1955. Physical therapy is from 1922. Related: Physically.
n.

“a physical examination,” by 1934, from physical (adj.).

physical phys·i·cal (fĭz’ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Abbr. phys.

Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit.

Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity.

Of or relating to material things.

Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.

n.
A physical examination.phys’i·cal’i·ty (-kāl’ĭ-tē) adj.

adjective

Using the body, esp roughly or intimately: Vanderbilt is a lot better than last year and more physical (1970+)

Related Terms

get physical

jargon
The opposite of logical in its jargon sense. Compare real, virtual, and transparent.
It is said that what you can touch and see is real; what you can see but not touch is virtual; what you can touch but not see is transparent; and what you can neither touch nor see is probably imaginary.
(2001-10-26)
see: get physical