physicality
gb/fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/ us/fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
property
1
being physical; bodily nature
the fact of being connected to the body or the physical world
Usage pattern:
the physicality of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean only “fitness”; it can also mean “material/bodily nature” in general.
Synonyms
corporeality (More formal; emphasizes having a body or material form.)
|
materiality (Focuses on being material or tangible, not necessarily about the body.)
Antonyms
spirituality (Focuses on spirit, faith, or non-material aspects.)
|
mentalism (Emphasizes the mind rather than the body (less common term).)
Collocations
the physicality of life
|the physicality of the human body
|human physicality
|sheer physicality
|the physicality of existence
|the physicality of aging
|physicality and spirituality
|physicality and emotion
|physicality versus intellect
|the body’s physicality
Themes
body_and_health
|philosophy
|daily_life
Examples
- The novel explores the physicality of grief as much as its emotional impact.
- As he got older, he became more aware of the physicality of everyday tasks.
- The film highlights the physicality of childbirth without romanticizing it.
Learner examples
- Yoga helps me connect with my physicality.
- The story focuses on the physicality of illness.
Noun
C1
property
2
strengthful physical presence
a person’s body strength and power
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s physicality
Common mistake:
“Physicality” is not the same as “physique”: physique is mainly appearance; physicality often includes power and how someone moves/plays.
Synonyms
athleticism (Emphasizes athletic skill and coordination, not just strength/size.)
|
strength (Narrower; focuses mainly on power rather than overall bodily presence.)
|
physique (More about body shape and appearance than performance.)
Antonyms
frailty (Physical weakness, especially due to age or illness.)
|
slightness (Small, delicate build suggesting less physical power.)
Collocations
use your physicality
|impressive physicality
|natural physicality
|elite physicality
|great physicality
|size and physicality
|speed and physicality
|his physicality
|her physicality
|overall physicality
Themes
sports
|body_and_health
|arts
Examples
- The coach recruited him for his speed and physicality.
- She brings a calm intensity and strong physicality to the role.
- In the second half, their physicality overwhelmed the smaller team.
Learner examples
- He is known for his physicality on the field.
- Her physicality helps her in dance.
Noun
C2
abstract
3
emphasis on body and movement
the way something uses the body and movement
Usage pattern:
the physicality of [a performance/scene/style]
Common mistake:
In arts contexts, “physicality” often means movement and bodily expression, not sexual content.
Synonyms
movement (Simpler; focuses on motion, not the broader bodily emphasis.)
|
bodily expression (Highlights communication through the body.)
Antonyms
stillness (Lack of movement or bodily action.)
|
restraint (Controlled, held-back physical expression.)
Collocations
comic physicality
|stage physicality
|the actor’s physicality
|the physicality of the performance
|a sense of physicality
|heighten the physicality
|physicality on stage
|the physicality of the scene
|the physicality of the choreography
|raw physicality
Themes
arts
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- The director asked the cast to increase the physicality of the fight scene.
- Her comedy relies on timing, voice, and physicality.
- The choreography combines elegance with sudden bursts of physicality.
Learner examples
- The actor used physicality to show anger.
- The dance has a lot of physicality.
Grammar
Dictionary form
physicality
IPA
GB/fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
US/fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
Syllables & stress
phys - ic - al - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (phys)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: physicality
- Plural: physicalities
Word family
Forms
physicalities
noun
Core family
physical
adjective A2
physically
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
nonphysical
adjective
Expressions
bring physicality
1/bɹˈɪŋ fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
fixed phrase
add strength and contact
add strength and toughness
Examples
- They signed a veteran forward to bring physicality to the lineup.
- The new defender brings physicality and discipline.
- In this role, you have to bring physicality as well as emotion.
play with physicality
1/plˈeɪ wˈɪθ fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
fixed phrase
play in a forceful way
play strongly and use your body a lot
Examples
- They need to play with physicality if they want to win on the road.
- In the playoffs, every team plays with physicality.
- The coach wants the defense to play with physicality from the start.
the physicality of the game
1/ðə fˈɪzɪkəlɪti əv ðə ɡˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
contact level in sport
how rough and contact-heavy a sport is
Examples
- Rookies often struggle with the physicality of the game at this level.
- The referee tried to control the physicality of the game early on.
- She adjusted quickly to the physicality of the game overseas.
use your physicality
1/jˈuz jˈʊɹ fˈɪzɪkəlɪti/
fixed phrase
rely on body strength
use your body strength as an advantage
Examples
- He used his physicality to shield the ball and draw a foul.
- You can use your physicality to create space in the paint.
- She learned to use her physicality without committing penalties.