physical
gb/fˈɪzɪkəl/ us/fˈɪzɪkəl/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Related to the body
About the body, not the mind or feelings.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is physical
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'physical' with 'physicist' or 'physics', which are about science, not the body.
Synonyms
bodily (More formal; often used in medical or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
mental (Refers to the mind and thinking instead of the body.)
Collocations
physical activity
|physical health
|physical strength
|physical fitness
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
Examples
- Regular physical exercise is important for good health.
- He suffered physical injuries in the accident.
- The job requires a lot of physical strength.
Learner examples
- I do physical exercise every day.
- A boxer needs physical power.
- She has good physical health.
adjective
B1
property
2
Tangible or material
Something you can touch or see, not just an idea.
Usage pattern:
[something] is physical
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'physical' in this sense with 'physically' meaning 'in person'.
Synonyms
tangible (Slightly more formal; often used for concrete evidence or assets.)
Antonyms
virtual (Exists in a computer or online, not in the real world.)
Collocations
physical object
|physical space
|physical evidence
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The museum has many physical artifacts from ancient times.
- You need a physical address to receive the package.
- There was no physical evidence linking him to the crime.
Learner examples
- This is a physical book.
- I have a physical copy of the photo.
- A chair is a physical thing.
adjective
B2
property
3
Related to natural laws
About the science of matter, energy, and forces in nature.
Synonyms
material (Can mean 'made of matter'; less specifically scientific.)
Antonyms
metaphysical (Beyond physical reality; philosophical.)
Collocations
physical properties
|physical sciences
|physical phenomena
Themes
science
Examples
- Gravity is a physical force.
- Water changes state due to physical processes.
- The experiment tested several physical properties of the metal.
Learner examples
- Heat is a physical thing.
- Ice melts because of a physical change.
- Sound is a physical wave.
Noun
B1
event
4
Medical body examination
A check of your body by a doctor to see if you are healthy.
Usage pattern:
get/have a physical
Synonyms
checkup (Informal and common; can refer to dental or other non-physical exams.)
Collocations
annual physical
|routine physical
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- I have my annual physical next week.
- The company requires a physical before starting work.
- She passed her physical and joined the team.
Learner examples
- I will have a physical today.
- The doctor gave me a physical.
- He had a physical before playing sports.
Grammar
Dictionary form
physical
IPA
GB/fˈɪzɪkəl/
US/fˈɪzɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
phys - ic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (phys)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: physical
Noun
- Base: physical
- Plural: physicals
Word family
Forms
physicals
noun
Core family
physically
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
mental
adjective B1
nonphysical
adjective
Advanced or less common
physicality
noun C1
Expressions
physical contact
1/fˈɪzɪkəl kˈɑntˌækt/
fixed phrase
Touching between people/objects
When two people or things touch each other.
Examples
- The sport does not allow physical contact between players.
- They avoided any physical contact during the meeting.
physical fitness
1/fˈɪzɪkəl fˈɪtnəs/
fixed phrase
State of being healthy/strong physically
Being healthy and strong because of exercise and good food.
Examples
- Physical fitness is important for soldiers.
- Her job requires a high level of physical fitness.
physical education
1/fˈɪzɪkəl ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
School subject for sports/exercise
A school class where students do sports and exercise to stay healthy and learn skills.
Examples
- Physical education classes are held twice a week.
- Physical education is required in most schools.
- He enjoys physical education more than math.
- He became a teacher of physical education.
physical therapy
1/fˈɪzɪkəl θˈɛɹəpi/
fixed phrase
Treatment using movement/exercise
A type of treatment that uses exercise and movement to help the body heal after injury or illness.
Examples
- She needed months of physical therapy after her surgery.
- Physical therapy helped him walk again.
physical therapy
2/fˈɪzɪkəl θˈɛɹəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
Treatment with physical exercises
Special exercises and care to help someone move better after an injury or illness.
Examples
- He started physical therapy two days after his operation.
- Physical therapy helped her walk again after the accident.