# physically

/ˈfɪzɪkəɫi/ (US) · /fˈɪzɪkli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. relating to the body

adverb · CEFR B1

in a way that relates to your body rather than your mind.

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

- The job was physically tiring, but he enjoyed working outdoors.
- Although she felt mentally sharp, she was physically exhausted after the marathon and needed several days of rest.

### 2. using force

adverb · CEFR B2

using your body or strength to move or touch something.

For teachers: by means of physical force or contact.

- The security guards had to physically remove the man from the building.
- The protesters were physically blocked from entering the square by a line of officers in riot gear.

### 3. laws of nature

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that is possible according to the laws of nature.

For teachers: according to the laws of physics or the nature of the material world.

- It is physically impossible for a human to jump that high.
- The engineer explained that it was physically impossible for the bridge to collapse under that specific amount of weight.

### 4. manually or directly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

doing something yourself by hand rather than using a computer or a machine.

For teachers: directly or manually, rather than through an automated or digital process.

- I had to physically go to the bank because the app wasn't working.
- In an era of remote work, he still preferred to physically attend meetings to better read the room's energy.

## Examples

- The job is physically tiring but very rewarding.
- He was physically present at the meeting, but his mind seemed to be somewhere else entirely.
- While the athlete felt mentally prepared for the marathon, her body was physically unable to maintain the necessary pace during the final five miles of the race.

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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.