physical
physical — adjective
1. about the body, its health, or the way it moves and feels, rather than thoughts
about the body, its health, or the way it moves and feels, rather than thoughts alone.
Regular walks can improve your physical health after a long winter.
collocation: physical health
After the crash, Noah needed physical therapy for his left shoulder.
The job includes heavy lifting and other physical work outdoors.
Teenagers need enough sleep for physical growth and strong bones.
- mental
connected with the mind rather than the body
文法句型
physical + health
physical + work
be physically active
用法筆記
Common with nouns such as health, activity, condition, pain, work, and growth. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense focuses on the human body, while sense 4 is about matter and the natural world more generally.
常見錯誤
2. used for actions that hurt people by force, often as a softer way to say 'violen
used for actions that hurt people by force, often as a softer way to say 'violent'.
Police arrested two men after a physical attack outside the station.
collocation: physical attack
The school can suspend students for any physical abuse in class.
collocation: physical abuse
Neighbors heard shouting before the argument turned physical in the hallway.
The film shows physical force, so young children should not watch.
- violent
more direct and usually stronger
- aggressive
broader; can include threatening behavior without actual force
- brutal
stronger and suggests cruelty
- peaceful
without force or harm
- nonviolent
deliberately avoiding force
文法句型
physical + attack
physical + abuse
turn physical
用法筆記
Usually appears with nouns like attack, abuse, assault, and force, or after verbs such as get, become, and turn. Common when speakers want an indirect way to mention violence.
常見錯誤
3. connected with sex or with strong sexual attraction, desire, or relationships.
connected with sex or with strong sexual attraction, desire, or relationships.
The book explores physical desire between two old friends.
collocation: physical desire
Mina and Leo wanted an emotional bond, not only a physical relationship.
contrast: emotional vs physical
The ad relies on physical attraction instead of clear information.
The magazine describes physical intimacy in plain, calm language.
- platonic
without sexual feeling or activity
文法句型
physical + attraction
physical + relationship
be physical with someone
用法筆記
Most often used with nouns such as attraction, desire, intimacy, and relationship. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is any body-related meaning, while this sense is specifically about sex.
常見錯誤
4. existing in the real world as matter or natural force, so it can be seen, touche
existing in the real world as matter or natural force, so it can be seen, touched, measured, or affected.
The model shows how physical objects fall at different speeds.
collocation: physical objects
Dreams can upset us, but they leave no physical marks.
real-world contrast
Strong wind is a physical force that can break thin branches.
The museum studies physical evidence from life in ancient caves.
文法句型
physical + object
physical + evidence
physical + world
用法筆記
Often used for objects, matter, evidence, space, and forces that belong to the material world. Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 belongs to the subject of physics, while this sense simply means materially real.
常見錯誤
5. used in physics or explained by the science of matter, energy, heat, light, and
used in physics or explained by the science of matter, energy, heat, light, and motion.
Students measured the physical properties of ice before it melted.
collocation: physical properties
The lab compared physical changes and chemical changes in sugar.
contrast: physical vs chemical
A physical law explains why the bridge can hold that weight.
Her report describes the physical process inside a solar panel.
- scientific
broader and not limited to physics
- mechanical
narrower; often about machines or forces in motion
- material
can overlap in technical writing, but is less clearly tied to physics
- chemical
connected with substances and reactions instead of physical form or force
文法句型
physical + law
physical + property
physical + process
用法筆記
Mostly used before scientific nouns such as law, process, property, change, and system. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense belongs to academic science, not simply to real or touchable things.
常見錯誤
physical — noun
1. a health check in which a doctor examines your body, often before school, sport,
a health check in which a doctor examines your body, often before school, sport, or a new job.
Ella had a physical before joining the summer basketball camp.
pattern: have a physical
The company asked each driver to pass a physical every year.
pattern: pass a physical
After the chest pain, Mr. Lin booked a full physical.
The nurse checked Ravi's height and blood pressure during the physical.
- physical examination
full and more formal term
- medical exam
common and clear, especially in forms or instructions
- checkup
broader; not always a formal full-body exam
文法句型
have a physical
get a physical
pass a physical
用法筆記
Often used with have, get, book, or pass. The fuller term physical examination is more formal, especially in writing from hospitals or official forms.