physiological
fihz-ee-uh-LOJ-ee-kuhl
Physiological (adj) means relating to physiology — the normal functioning of living things and their organs. Example: “Stress causes physiological changes like a faster heartbeat.”
adj
1
Relating to physiology — the normal functioning of living things and their organs.
"Stress causes physiological changes like a faster heartbeat."
"The study measured physiological responses to exercise."
"Sleep is a basic physiological need, just like food and water."
How to use physiological
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with how the body's organs and systems actually function.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
physiological effects
physiological response
physiological needs
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more physiological
- Superlative
- most physiological
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Stress causes _____ changes like a faster heartbeat.
Etymology
Built from physio- (relating to nature/body) plus -logical, ultimately from Greek roots meaning "nature" and "study."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for physiological
See all rhymes for physiological →Frequently asked questions
What does “physiological” mean?
The word “physiological” means relating to physiology — the normal functioning of living things and their organs. In plain terms, to do with how the body's organs and systems actually function.
How do you pronounce “physiological”?
“Physiological” is pronounced fihz-ee-uh-LOJ-ee-kuhl (/ˌfɪz.i.əˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “physiological” in a sentence?
Here is “physiological” used in a sentence: “Stress causes physiological changes like a faster heartbeat.”
What is another word for “physiological”?
Words with a similar meaning to “physiological” include physiologic.
What part of speech is “physiological”?
“Physiological” is an adjective.
Where does the word “physiological” come from?
The word “physiological” comes from Latin. Built from physio- (relating to nature/body) plus -logical, ultimately from Greek roots meaning "nature" and "study.".
Is “physiological” a common word?
“Physiological” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between "physiological" and "psychological"?
"Physiological" relates to the normal physical functioning of living things and their organs, such as heart rate or digestion, while "psychological" relates to the mind and mental processes, such as thoughts and emotions. A physiological response is bodily, whereas a psychological response is mental, though the two often influence each other.
What is the difference between "physiological" and "physical"?
"Physiological" specifically describes how the body's organs and systems function, such as blood pressure or hormone levels, while "physical" is a broader term covering anything related to the body or material world in general. All physiological traits are physical, but not everything physical is physiological.
Is "physiologic" the same as "physiological"?
Yes, "physiologic" and "physiological" are interchangeable adjectives meaning relating to physiology, though "physiological" is the more common form in everyday and academic English, especially outside the United States.
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