- 1[usually before noun] connected with a person's body rather than their mind physical fitness physical appearance The ordeal has affected both her mental and physical health. He tends to avoid all physical contact. The center offers activities for everyone, whatever your age or physical condition.
real things - 2[only before noun] 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 color, 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?
- 3[only before noun] 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[only before noun] connected with the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, etc. and how they affect objects physical laws sex
- 5involving 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? Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
the body
Check pronunciation: physical