bodily

1 of 2

adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbä-də-lē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
1
: having a body : physical
2
: of or relating to the body
bodily comfort
bodily organs

bodily

2 of 2

adverb

1
a
: in the flesh
b
: in a manner that involves physically moving someone's body
The blast lifted him bodily into the air.
Jerry Wexler called him a "parasite" and threw him bodily out of his office.Jack Kroll
2
: as a whole : altogether

Examples of bodily in a Sentence

Adjective The victim suffered serious bodily injury. the old man suffered from a number of bodily ailments Adverb The blast lifted him bodily into the air. The house will have to be moved bodily to the new site.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Played by a seemingly fearless Will Price, Lucas is a daredevil chasing great bodily harm following the off-screen death of his father. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 Brittney Leigh Hensley, 37, was arrested by the Ocean Springs police and charged with felony child abuse causing serious bodily harm, according to her online booking record. Emily Palmer, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Managing possible anxiety, depression, bodily changes and the transition to motherhood—while navigating fears of childbirth and ensuring proper healthcare—can feel overwhelming, especially without sufficient support or information. Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Other options, observations The auto insurance overhaul in Michigan also set new purchase requirements for bodily injury liability coverage. Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bodily 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bodily was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Bodily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodily. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bodily

1 of 2 adjective
bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
: of or relating to the body : physical

bodily

2 of 2 adverb
1
: in the flesh : by the body
removed them bodily
2
: as a whole : entirely

Medical Definition

bodily

adjective
bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
: of or relating to the body
bodily organs

More from Merriam-Webster on bodily

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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