physical

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective the body 1 [usuallybeforenoun] connected with a person's body rather than their mind: physical fitness / strength / disabilities * physical appearance / beauty * The ordeal has affected both her mental and physical health. * He tends to avoid all physical contact. * The centre offers activities for everyone, whatever your age or physical condition. real things 2 [onlybeforenoun] connected with things that actually exist or are present and can be seen, felt, etc. rather than things that only exist in a person's mind: the physical world / universe / environment * the physical properties (= the colour, weight, shape, etc.) of copper * She was intimidated by his physical presence. * Is there any physical evidence to suggest that a crime has been committed? nature / science 3 [onlybeforenoun] according to the laws of nature: It is a physical impossibility to be in two places at once. * There does not seem to be any physical explanation for what they saw. 4 [onlybeforenoun] connected with the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, etc. and how they affect objects: physical chemistry / laws sex 5 involving sex: physical love * They are having a physical relationship. * The attraction between them is purely physical. person 6 (informal) (of a person) liking to touch other people a lot: She's not very physical. violent 7 (informal) violent (used to avoid saying this in a direct way): Are you going to cooperate or do we have to get physical? noun (also physical examination) a medical examination of a person's body, for example, to check that they are fit enough to do a particular job