# physical

/ˈfɪzɪkəɫ/ (US) · /fˈɪzɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/physical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the human body

adjective · CEFR A2

relating to the human body rather than the mind or feelings.

For teachers: relating to the human body as opposed to the mind, spirit, or emotions.

- Physical exercise is great for your heart and helps reduce stress.
- The athlete's physical condition was peak, yet the coach remained concerned about his mental preparation for the final match.

### 2. real objects

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to things you can see and touch; real or material.

For teachers: relating to things perceived through the senses as opposed to the mind; tangible or material.

- I prefer reading physical books because I like the feel of the paper.
- The digital archive is impressive, but researchers still need access to the physical documents to verify the original ink and paper quality.

### 3. laws of nature

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the laws of nature and the world around us.

For teachers: relating to the natural world or the laws of physics.

- The physical world is governed by laws like gravity.
- The physical properties of the new alloy make it ideal for use in high-temperature aerospace environments.

### 4. medical check-up

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a medical examination by a doctor to check your health.

For teachers: a thorough medical examination to determine a person's state of health.

- The company requires all new employees to have a physical before they start.
- During his annual physical, the doctor noted a significant improvement in his cardiovascular health compared to the previous year.

## Examples

- Regular physical exercise is good for your heart.
- The doctor performed a thorough physical examination to check for any signs of injury after the accident.
- While digital assets have become increasingly valuable, many collectors still prefer the tactile satisfaction of owning a physical copy that they can display on a shelf.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.