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
Slaughter is facing 14 charges, including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury and driving while licenses revoked, according to court documents. Luke Chinman, People.com, 31 July 2025 However, interest and punitive damages are always taxable, even in wrongful death or serious bodily injury cases. Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adverb
Mattress encasements are going to act just like mattress protectors in keeping out the other questionable substances, like dead skin cells, bodily fluids, and dust mites. Julia Forbes, Wired News, 23 June 2025 Also, there are many characters who could support Aira bodily: Cordelia, Lear’s favorite daughter, and also the Fool, who, in Matthew’s mind, is more and more Henry, with his broad shoulders, his comical shrug. Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 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

Cite this Entry

“Bodily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodily. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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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