physical

comparative more physical · superlative most physical · alternative obsolete physickal

1. Of medicine.
   1. obsoletePertaining to the field of medicine; medical.First known use 15th–19th c.
   2. obsoleteThat practises medicine; pertaining to doctors, physicianly.First known use 18th c.

      Her father was thrown from his horse, when his blood was in a very inflammatory state, and the bruises were very dangerous; his recovery was not expected by the physical tribe.

      1788, Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary: A Fiction

   3. obsoleteMedicinal; good for the health, curative, therapeutic.First known use 16th–19th c.

      Is Brutus sick? and is it physical / To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours / Of the dank morning?

      1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

      1 more example

      Phisicall [translating φαρμακώδεις (pharmakṓdeis)] herbes, as Helleborum, Lingewort, or Beares foote.

      1579, Thomas North, translating Pliny, Parallel Lives

2. Of matter and nature.
   1. Pertaining to the world as understood through the senses rather than the mind, having to do with the material world.First known use 16th c.

      It's not so much a physical place as a state of mind.

      2 more examples

      Labour, then, in the physical world, is […] employed in putting objects in motion.

      1848, John Stuart Mill, Principles of Political Economy: With Some of Their Applications to Social Philosophy. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John W[illiam] Parker, […], →OCLC

      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.

      2013 May 25, “No hiding place”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8837, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2023, page 74

      Synonyms: See Thesaurus:substantial

   2. In accordance with the laws of nature; now specifically, pertaining to physics.First known use 16th c.

      The substance has a number of interesting physical properties.

      1 more example

      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.

      2012 January 28, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2013, page 86

   3. Denoting a map showing natural features of the landscape (compare political).First known use 18th c.
3. Of the human body.
   1. Having to do with the body as opposed to the mind; corporeal, bodily.First known use 18th c.

      Are you feeling any physical effects?

      3 more examples

      Insults can hurt a lot more than physical injuries.

      A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.

      1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter I, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC

      In mild cases of hypergonadism prior to puberty, the onset of physical and mood changes may not be abnormally early or significant enough to cause any psychological or long-term physical complications.

      2018 June 25, James Roland, “What is Hypergonadism?”, in Healthline, archived from the original on 25 Apr 2025

   2. Sexual, carnal.First known use 18th c.

      to get physical

   3. Involving bodily force or contact; vigorous, aggressive.First known use 20th c.

      This team plays a very physical game, so watch out.

      1 more example

      Hardy is perfect. He’s physical and monosyllabic.

      2017 December 1, Tom Breihan, “Mad Max: Fury Road might already be the best action movie ever made”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 07 Mar 2022

4. Of a piece of media, existing as a tangible object instead of being digital.

   There is just something so amazing about reading a physical book as compared to an e-book.

plural physicals · alternative obsolete physickal

1. medicineA physical examination.

   How long has it been since your last physical?

2. parapsychologyA physical manifestation of psychic origin, as through ectoplasmic solidification.

   "I don't mind readings and clairvoyance, but the physicals do try you."

   1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019