# somatic

/ˌsoʊˈmɑtɪk/ (US) · /səmˈætɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/somatic
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

relating to the body, especially the physical parts of the body rather than the mind. You use this to describe things like the nerves that control your muscles.

For teachers: relating to the body, particularly the physical structure and sensory nerves. Often used in medical or biological contexts to distinguish physical from mental processes.

## Examples

- The doctor checked for somatic symptoms like muscle pain.
- The patient reported several somatic complaints, including chronic back pain and fatigue, that were not explained by a physical illness.
- In clinical psychology, somatic symptoms are often used to describe physical complaints that are primarily caused by psychological factors rather than a specific organic disease.

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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.