bodily
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bodily, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to or concerning the physical body, rather than the mind or spirit.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bodily
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English bodily, built from body plus the suffix -ly.
Full origin of bodily →Frequently asked questions
What does “bodily” mean?
The word “bodily” means relating to or concerning the physical body, rather than the mind or spirit. In plain terms, to do with the physical body — or, as an adverb, moving something as a whole physical mass.
How do you pronounce “bodily”?
“Bodily” is pronounced BO-dih-lee (/ˈbɑdɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “bodily” in a sentence?
Here is “bodily” used in a sentence: “The injury caused severe bodily harm.”
What is another word for “bodily”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bodily” include corporal, corporeal, carnal and physical.
What part of speech is “bodily”?
Depending on how it is used, “bodily” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “bodily” come from?
The word “bodily” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bodily, built from body plus the suffix -ly.
Is “bodily” a common word?
“Bodily” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bodily” have?
“Bodily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or concerning the physical body, rather than the mind or spirit.
What is the difference between bodily and physical?
Bodily specifically relates to the human body, as in bodily harm or bodily functions, while physical is broader and can describe the body, physical objects, or physical laws more generally. Bodily is more narrowly focused on the body itself, distinguishing it from the mind or spirit.
What does it mean to remove someone bodily?
To remove someone bodily means to physically pick up or move their whole body at once, using force rather than persuasion. This adverbial use of bodily emphasizes acting on the entire physical body as a unit.
What is bodily harm in a legal context?
Bodily harm refers to physical injury inflicted on a person's body, a phrase commonly used in legal and medical contexts such as "grievous bodily harm." It specifically concerns the physical body rather than psychological or emotional injury.