Physical

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈfɪzɪkÉ™l/

Full definition of physical

Adjective

1. Having to do with the body.
   Are you feeling any physical effects?
2. Having to do with the material world.
• John Stuart MillLabour, in the physical world, is ... employed in putting objects in motion.
• MacaulayA society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.
• 2013-05-25, No hiding place, In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result.
3. It's not so much a physical place as a state of mind.
4. Involving bodily force.
   This team plays a very physical game, so watch out.
5. Having to do with physics.
• 2012-01, Michael Riordan, Tackling Infinity, Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.
6. The substance has a number of interesting physical properties.
7. (computing) Not virtual; directly corresponding to hardware
8. (obsolete) Relating to physic, or medicine; medicinal; curative; also, cathartic; purgative.
• Sir T. NorthPhysical herbs.
• ShakespeareIs Brutus sick? and is it physical
  To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours
  Of the dank morning?

Antonyms

• psychological, having to do with the mind rather than body.

Derived terms

• antiphysical
• physical body
• physical chemistry
• physical education
• physical examination
• physical relations
• physical therapy
• physical world

Related terms

• metaphysical
• physicality
• physically
• physician
• physics

Noun

1. Physical examination.How long has it been since your last physical?

Synonyms

• checkup, check-up