unembodied

9.9

Not having a physical body, like a ghost

adjective
/ˌʌnɪmˈbɒdɪd/

: incorpóreo

The idea of an unembodied spirit is central to several religions that emphasize life beyond the physical realm.

Examples

But he does hold that God is simple in being an immaterial, unembodied mind.

Blog text (16)
The philosopher argued that an unembodied existence would lack physical limits and constraints.
In many spiritual beliefs, the soul is considered an unembodied essence separate from the physical body.

Synonyms

disembodied

vsunembodied

15 8.0

Seeming to exist without a body, like a voice or spirit

is the general term for lacking a body rather than seeming separation

immaterial

vsunembodied

4 7.4

Not physical and cannot be touched

is the same absence but focuses on lack of a material body

incorporeal

vsunembodied

2 9.9

Not having a physical body or shape that you can touch

is the same lack of body but stated in more general terms

nonphysical

vsunembodied

1 7.0

Not having a body you can touch or see

is the same absence but names lack of a body rather than measurability

bodiless

vsunembodied

1 8.1

Not having a physical form, like a spirit or ghost

is the same absence but emphasizes being without material existence

nonmaterial

vsunembodied

1 7.7

Has no physical form and is about ideas or feelings

is the same idea but more about lacking a body specifically

bodyless

vsunembodied

1 8.2

Not having any physical shape you can touch, like a voice or shadow

is the broader term for not having a material body or form

unbodied

vsunembodied

Archaic

9.9

Not having a physical form like a ghost or spirit

is the same idea but uses a different adjective formation

discorporate

vsunembodied

Literature

9.9

A being that has no physical body like a ghost

is the same lack but more general, not implying absence of incarnation

unphysical

vsunembodied

9.1

About the mind or spirit rather than the body

is about lacking a physical body itself rather than mere nonrelation

Antonyms

embodied

5.5

Having a quality shown in a body or thing

How Embodied

to incarnate

Formal

1 7.3

embodied

5.5

unembodied

9.9

incorporeal

2 9.9

Surface Forms

unembodied positive

Morphology

unembodied = embodied (transparent) = un + embody + ed

The adjective is formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'un-' to 'embodied', yielding the straightforward sense 'not embodied'.

Etymology

Unembodied starts with un- ('not') and uses the familiar word body, so it means 'not in a physical body'. A helpful image is a ghost or a voice without a body, which shows why an unembodied mind or presence is not tied to any material body.