bodily

1 of 2

adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbä-də-lē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
Synonyms of bodilynext
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

Synonyms

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Mosser’s office determined that none of the officers should be charged with using deadly force given the reasonable belief that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Adverb
The renal arteries bring blood from the heart to the kidneys to help filter waste and remove excess bodily fluid. — Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2025 LaBruce’s films are ludicrously graphic, every bodily fluid imaginable pouring out onto the screen. — P.e. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 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

Rhymes for bodily

See All Rhymes for bodily

Browse Nearby Words

bodiless
bodily
bodily injury liability insurance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bodily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodily. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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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

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