bodies
bodies — verb
- bodiespresent simple I / you / we / they
- bodieses3rd person singular
- bodiesing-ing form
- bodiesedpast simple
1. to make an abstract idea, feeling, or quality seem real and visible by giving it
to make an abstract idea, feeling, or quality seem real and visible by giving it a clear form or expression
The new community centre bodies forth the neighbourhood's hope for a brighter future.
body + forth + abstract noun (hope)
In her novel, Amani bodies the quiet strength of women rebuilding their town after the earthquake.
body + abstract noun (strength)
The mural on the school wall bodies the pride the community feels for its diverse roots.
Mayumi's paintings body the sadness and joy she felt while growing up in a fishing village.
Each ceremony bodies the deep respect the villagers hold for the forest that surrounds them.
- embody
more common in everyday and formal contexts; body is far less frequent
- personify
suggests a human figure or character representing the quality
- manifest
more technical; can mean make visible without the idea of giving shape
- incarnate
literary and religious in tone; stronger sense of taking on physical form
文法句型
body + abstract noun (object)
body + forth + abstract noun
用法筆記
Often used with the adverb 'forth' to form the phrasal pattern 'body forth', which is more common in modern English than the standalone verb. Subject is usually a creative work, institution, or symbolic object; object is an abstract quality (hope, pride, strength, identity).
常見錯誤
bodies — noun
- bodiessingular
- bodiesesplural
1. the complete physical form of any living creature, human or otherwise, comprisin
the complete physical form of any living creature, human or otherwise, comprising every part from head to limbs and internal organs, viewed as a single organism.
Vikram stretched his body after sitting at the desk for six hours.
collocation: stretch one's body
Yuki's doctor told her that regular exercise keeps the body healthy and strong.
body as a general concept (no article)
A dolphin's body is built for fast swimming through ocean water.
Heat escapes from the human body through the skin when a person sweats.
The nurse helped the elderly patient move his body into a more comfortable position.
用法筆記
Frequently used with possessive adjectives (my body, her body) or in the generic phrase 'the human body'. The plural 'bodies' refers to the physical forms of multiple people or animals.
常見錯誤
2. the human or animal torso — the central section of a living being that remains w
the human or animal torso — the central section of a living being that remains when the head and limbs are taken away.
Tariq wore a padded vest that protected his body from the chest down to his waist.
body = trunk (contrasted with limbs)
The snake wrapped its long body around the branch while its head searched for prey.
animal's central body section
David felt a sharp pain in his upper body after lifting the heavy sofa alone.
The surgeon made a small cut on the lower body of the patient near the hip bone.
用法筆記
Often used in the phrases 'upper body' (chest, shoulders, back) and 'lower body' (hips, waist, legs). This sense is distinct from sense 1 because it excludes the head and limbs.
3. the dead physical remains of a person or animal.
the dead physical remains of a person or animal.
The police found a body floating in the river near the old bridge.
Esme identified her uncle's body at the hospital after the accident.
verb + body: identify a body
The hikers came across the body of a deer that had fallen off the cliff.
Divers searched the wreckage for bodies but found no survivors from the ship.
用法筆記
Used for both humans and animals. In news reports, 'the body' often refers to a recently deceased person whose identity may not yet be known. More neutral than 'corpse'.
常見錯誤
4. the outer casing of a motor vehicle or aircraft, typically made from painted met
the outer casing of a motor vehicle or aircraft, typically made from painted metal panels that enclose the mechanical parts and passengers.
The crash damaged the body of the car so badly that it could not be repaired.
collocation: damaged body of a car
Bao took his truck to a workshop where workers fixed dents in the metal body.
The aircraft's body is made from lightweight aluminium to save fuel during flights.
Luca chose a red body for his new motorbike because it stood out on the road.
用法筆記
In automotive contexts, 'body' refers specifically to the external panels and frame. Does not include the engine, wheels, or interior parts. The verb 'rebody' means to replace a vehicle's body.
5. a team of individuals organized to achieve a common objective, such as a committ
a team of individuals organized to achieve a common objective, such as a committee, association, or official institution
The governing body of the university meets every month to discuss policy changes.
governing body — group in charge of an institution
Brandon was elected to the student body as a representative for the engineering department.
student body — all students at a school
An independent body was set up to investigate complaints about the healthcare system.
The United Nations is an international body that promotes peace and security worldwide.
Local governing bodies must follow national laws when making decisions about housing.
- organization
broader term; not necessarily an official or governing group
- committee
a specific type of body formed for a particular purpose
- council
a body elected or appointed to make decisions
- association
a group formed around a shared interest rather than authority
文法句型
body + of + plural_noun
the governing body
the student body
用法筆記
Frequently paired with adjectives that describe the group's authority or scope: governing body, elected body, independent body, regulatory body.
常見錯誤
6. a large collection or quantity of something, especially information, knowledge,
a large collection or quantity of something, especially information, knowledge, evidence, or creative work
The defence lawyer presented a large body of evidence that proved her client was innocent.
body of evidence — collection of facts supporting a case
Elena built up an impressive body of work over her twenty-year career as a photographer.
body of work — all the work produced by someone
Scientists share a growing body of knowledge about the effects of climate change.
A substantial body of research shows the benefits of regular exercise for older adults.
Adaeze read a vast body of literature on public health before writing her paper.
- collection
more general term for gathered items
- mass
suggests a large, undifferentiated amount
- quantity
neutral measure of amount, less formal
- corpus
specifically used for written or academic works
- handful
a very small amount
文法句型
body of + uncountable_noun
body of + plural_noun
用法筆記
Subject or object of the sentence is typically information-related: evidence, research, knowledge, literature, work. The collocation 'body of evidence' is especially common in legal and academic contexts.
常見錯誤
7. a sizeable stretch of water found in nature, for example a lake, sea, or ocean
a sizeable stretch of water found in nature, for example a lake, sea, or ocean
Lake Victoria is the largest body of water in Africa by total surface area.
body of water — large area of water
The Caspian Sea is a saltwater body of water, not a true ocean-linked sea.
Minh spent the summer studying freshwater bodies of water in the lakes of northern Minnesota.
A large body of water like the Pacific affects the climate of nearby coastal regions.
The national park contains several protected bodies of water where fishing is not allowed.
文法句型
body of water
用法筆記
Almost always used in the specific phrase 'body of water'. 'Body' alone does not mean water — the phrase is a fixed collocation. Common in geography, environmental science, and travel writing.
常見錯誤
8. the central section of a written work, containing the primary content between th
the central section of a written work, containing the primary content between the opening and closing sections
The introduction is ten pages, but the body of the report is over a hundred.
Yael skimmed through the body of the article to find the key arguments and data.
body of the article — main content section
The body of the essay should contain at least three paragraphs supporting your main argument.
Footnotes in the body of the text explain unfamiliar terms and historical references.
Before writing the conclusion, Iris revised the body of her thesis with recent data.
- appendix
supplementary material at the end
- introduction
opening section before the main text
文法句型
the body of the + document_type
用法筆記
Contrasted with specific sections: 'the body of the letter' excludes the salutation and signature; 'the body of the article' excludes the headline and byline. Common in academic writing instruction and publishing.
常見錯誤
9. a human being considered as a person, used especially in informal or local conte
a human being considered as a person, used especially in informal or local contexts.
Heather is a friendly body who always says hello to everyone in the village.
informal British: a friendly body
The old lady was a quiet body who kept to herself and read books all day.
a quiet body = a quiet person
There was not a single body on the street when the snowstorm hit the town.
Mei described the old man at the bus stop as a kind body who helps strangers with their luggage.
- person
standard neutral term, no regional restriction
- individual
more formal or legal register
用法筆記
This sense is mostly regional (British English, especially older or rural usage). Far less common than 'person' or 'someone'. Often found in fixed expressions such as 'every body' (everyone) or 'a body' (a person).
常見錯誤
❌ 'There were ten bodies at the party.' (when you mean ten people) — this sounds like corpses. Use 'ten people' instead.
10. a close-fitting piece of clothing worn by women or girls that covers the upper b
a close-fitting piece of clothing worn by women or girls that covers the upper body from the shoulders to the waist, often fastening between the legs.
Sofia wore a black velvet body with a long skirt to the winter party.
body = bodice / bodysuit
The dancer's sequined body sparkled under the bright stage lights during the show.
Yuki bought a cotton body from the market because it was comfortable under her shirt.
The fashion shop sells matching bodies and leggings for women who do yoga.
用法筆記
In this sense, 'body' is short for 'bodysuit' or 'bodice'. Frequently used in fashion retail contexts. The plural 'bodies' is common because shops sell many of them.
11. used to describe a group of people acting together at the same time in an offici
used to describe a group of people acting together at the same time in an official and united way
The entire staff resigned in a body to protest the sudden change in working conditions.
in a body — all together as one group
The committee rose in a body and walked out of the room without a word.
All 120 delegates voted in a body to approve the new constitution for the organization.
The shareholders arrived in a body at the meeting to voice concerns about the company.
- together
simpler and less formal
- as one
similar emphasis on unity but slightly less formal
- unanimously
focuses on agreement in decision, not simultaneous action
- individually
each person acting separately rather than as a group
文法句型
in a body — used as an adverbial phrase
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'in a body'. The subject must be a plural noun referring to a group, and the verb describes a collective action taken unanimously.
常見錯誤
12. the central area of a major building, especially a church or hall, not counting
the central area of a major building, especially a church or hall, not counting side extensions or towers
The cathedral's body was built in the 13th century, but the bell tower came later.
Fire damaged the body of the concert hall, but the lobby and offices were untouched.
The body of the building holds the main exhibition space; the wings have smaller galleries.
Arjun admired the beautiful stained-glass windows that lined the body of the old church.
The earthquake caused serious cracks in the body of the museum, forcing it to close.
- nave
specifically the body of a church
- main hall
the primary interior space
- central section
descriptive, less technical
文法句型
the body of the + building_type
用法筆記
In architecture, 'body' contrasts with architectural elements attached to the main structure: wings, transepts, towers, apses, and annexes. The term 'nave' specifically refers to the body of a church where the congregation sits.
常見錯誤
13. a discrete physical entity, especially in scientific or technical use — such as
a discrete physical entity, especially in scientific or technical use — such as a planet (celestial body), a rock formation (geological body), or a splinter inside the skin (foreign body)
Astronomers at the Tokyo observatory spotted a new celestial body near Mars.
collocation: celestial body
The doctor removed a foreign body from Noa's ear using special forceps.
collocation: foreign body
A large body of sedimentary rock sits beneath the village.
Folake studied how different bodies of matter expand when heated.
用法筆記
Frequently paired with an adjective or a prepositional phrase (foreign body, celestial body, body of rock/water) to specify what kind of mass is meant.
常見錯誤
14. the quality of being thick, full, and rich in texture, flavour, or consistency —
the quality of being thick, full, and rich in texture, flavour, or consistency — for example, the thickness of hair, the richness of wine, or the smooth heaviness of a cream or sauce.
This conditioner gives thin hair more body and makes it look fuller.
gives [hair] body
Stefan prefers red wines with a rich, full body and deep fruit flavours.
collocation: full body (wine)
The lotion has a creamy body that spreads easily over the skin.
Constanza chose a shampoo that adds body without making her hair stiff.
- thinness
the opposite quality: lacking body, as in thin hair or a watery sauce
用法筆記
Common with products for hair (shampoo, conditioner), descriptions of wine or food, and the consistency of creams, sauces, or liquids. Often modified by adjectives such as full, rich, creamy, light, or thick.
常見錯誤
15. the hollow chamber inside a stringed instrument — such as a violin, guitar, or c
the hollow chamber inside a stringed instrument — such as a violin, guitar, or cello — that vibrates to amplify the sound the strings produce.
The violin maker applied a thin coat of varnish to the body of the violin.
body of a [string instrument]
An acoustic guitar sounds louder than an electric one because its body is hollow.
Yumi tapped the body of her cello gently to check if the wood had cracked.
The body of a ukulele is small, which gives it a bright and cheerful tone.
- sound box
a more technical term for the resonating chamber of a string instrument
- resonating chamber
broader term; can refer to the hollow space in any instrument, including wind instruments
用法筆記
The shape and material of the body greatly affect the instrument's tone; most acoustic string instruments have a wooden body, while electric guitars often have a solid body.