physical

adjective

UK /ˈfɪzɪk(ə)l/

1
relating to your body rather than your mind
The emotional and physical strain of the previous day had left him exhausted.
Depressed people often complain of physical symptoms such as headaches.
children who have physical disabilities
physical violence
hard physical work
Synonyms and related words
General words relating to the human body
somatic
body
anatomy
2
able to be seen, touched, or felt
There was little physical evidence linking the suspects with the crime.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
obvious
apparent
show up
1. 2a
  not digital
  Today, in the Internet age, physical dictionaries seem laughably unnecessary.
  Do you want a physical keyboard on your smartphone?
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing books and relating to books
  a good/exciting etc read
  bookends
  bookmark
3
relating to the way that someone or something looks
physical appearance/characteristics:
She is obsessed with her physical appearance.
Synonyms and related words
General words for appearances
optics
appearance
look
4
used about activities that involve people touching or hitting each other a lot
Rugby is a very physical game.
physical contact (=touching):
There was little physical contact between mother and children.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe actions and activities
actions speak louder than words
amateur
at someone’s request/at the request of someone
1. 4a
  a physical person touches people a lot, either in a friendly or a rough way
  Children tend to be very physical.
  Synonyms and related words
  Expressing affection physically
  kiss
  hug
  pat
2. 4b
  used about sexual activity
  Did they have a physical relationship?
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating or referring to sex and sexual activity
  sexual
  romantic
  animal
5
existing in the real world, rather than in someone’s imagination
a physical impossibility
the physical universe
Synonyms and related words
Real and seeming real
real
true
genuine
6
only before nounrelating to physics
physical and theoretical chemistry
Synonyms and related words
Areas of physical science and relating to areas of physical science
aerodynamics
astrophysicist
astrophysics

physical

adjective

US /ˈfɪzɪk(ə)l/

1
relating to your body rather than your mind
The emotional and physical strain of the previous day had left him exhausted.
Depressed people often complain of physical symptoms such as headaches.
children who have physical disabilities
physical violence
hard physical work
Synonyms and related words
General words relating to the human body
somatic
body
anatomy
2
able to be seen, touched, or felt
There was little physical evidence linking the suspects with the crime.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
pin-sharp
obvious
apparent
1. 2a
  not digital
  Today, in the Internet age, physical dictionaries seem laughably unnecessary.
  Do you want a physical keyboard on your smartphone?
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing books and relating to books
  a good/exciting etc. read
  bookends
  bookmark
3
existing in the real world, rather than in someone’s imagination
a physical impossibility
the physical universe
Synonyms and related words
Real and seeming real
real
true
genuine
4
relating to the way that someone or something looks
physical appearance/characteristics:
She is obsessed with her physical appearance.
Synonyms and related words
General words for appearances
optics
appearance
look
5
used about activities that involve people touching or hitting each other a lot
Water polo is a very physical game.
physical contact (=touching):
There was very little physical contact between the mother and her children.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe actions and activities
actions speak louder than words
amateur
at someone’s request/at the request of someone
1. 5a
  used about sexual activity
  Did they have a physical relationship?
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating or referring to sex and sexual activity
  sexual
  romantic
  animal
2. 5b
  a physical person touches people a lot, either in a friendly or a rough way
  Children tend to be very physical.
  Synonyms and related words
  Expressing affection physically
  mwah
  kiss
  hug
6
only before nounrelating to physics
physical and theoretical chemistry
Synonyms and related words
Areas of physical science and relating to areas of physical science
aerodynamics
astrophysicist
astrophysics

physical

noun countable

UK /ˈfɪzɪk(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	physical
plural	physicals

1
a physical examination
Synonyms and related words
Medical tests and examinations
amniocentesis
autopsy
biopsy

physical

noun countable

US /ˈfɪzɪk(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	physical
plural	physicals

1
a physical examination
Synonyms and related words
Medical tests and examinations
amniocentesis
autopsy
biopsy

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physical

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