in a way that involves the body rather than the mind or emotions
After months of training, Maria felt physically ready for the marathon.
The job is physically demanding, so workers must take regular breaks.
✦ Derived from "physical" + "-ly", first recorded in the 15th century.
in a real, tangible way, involving actual contact or presence rather than something virtual or theoretical
The old letters were physically stored in a locked box under the bed.
Because he lived abroad, he couldn't physically attend the wedding.
✦ Same origin as Sense 1: from "physical" + "-ly", extending to the idea of real-world presence in the late 19th century with the rise of telecommunication.
