Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being physical or tangible: The fact of relating to the body or material things, as opposed to things that are mental or spiritual.
   • Preoccupation with physical drives and appetites: An excessive focus on bodily needs, sensations, or desires, such as food, sex, or physical comfort.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The physicality of the sculpture was striking; you could feel the weight and texture of the stone. (This emphasizes its tangible, bodily presence.)
  • His acting was praised for its raw physicality, using his whole body to express the character's pain. (This refers to the emphasis on bodily movement and presence.)
  • The philosopher warned against a life devoted solely to physicality, neglecting the mind and spirit. (This refers to a preoccupation with bodily appetites.)

Advanced Usage

• "The physicality of the performance": Used in critiques of dance, theater, or sports to describe the emphasis on bodily exertion, presence, and movement.
  • The ballet was demanding, requiring an incredible physicality from the dancers.
• "A celebration of physicality": Can describe an artistic or cultural focus on the human body and its capabilities.
  • The festival was a celebration of physicality, with sports, dance, and feasting.

Variants and Related Words

• Physical (adj): Relating to the body or to things that can be touched and seen.
  • Physical exercise is important for health.
• Physically (adv): In a way that relates to the body or to real objects.
  • He is physically strong.
• Physique (n): The form, size, and development of a person's body.
  • She has an athletic physique.

Synonyms

• Bodily nature: The quality of being related to the body.
• Corporeality: The fact of having a physical body; material existence.
• Sensuality: Preoccupation with the gratification of the senses.
• Animality: The physical and instinctive aspects of human nature.

Antonyms

• Spirituality: The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul.
• Intellectuality: The quality of being related to the intellect or mind.
• Immateriality: The quality of not being composed of matter.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Physical presence: The strong effect someone has because of their bodily demeanor in a space.
  • The actor commands the stage with his physical presence.
• Physical demands: The requirements placed on the body.
  • The job has great physical demands.

Noun

1. preoccupation with satisfaction of physical drives and appetites