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unphysical

unphysical

9.1
About the mind or spirit rather than the body
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈfɪzɪkəl/
translation icon : inmaterial
  • Some philosophers believe that consciousness is an unphysical phenomenon that cannot be explained by science alone.

Examples

  • The story explores unphysical realms where thoughts and emotions shape reality.

  • He argued that love is an unphysical force, not bound by the laws of nature.

  • This idea is unphysical.

  • Her approach to life is very unphysical.

  • Many artists describe their work as exploring unphysical themes that transcend the limitations of the material world.

  • In many spiritual teachings, the concept of the soul is considered unphysical, existing beyond the constraints of the physical body.

  • Some theories suggest that emotions have unphysical properties that influence our thoughts and behaviors.

Synonyms

spiritual
vsunphysical
660 4.8

Relating to the soul and to religion

is wider, covering mental or nonmaterial things beyond religious meaning
unreal
vsunphysical
28 4.2

Not real, like something from a dream

refers instead to things not tied to material reality, not unreality
intangible
vsunphysical
22 7.2

Something that cannot be touched and is often a feeling or quality

focuses more on being about mind or nonmaterial reality than mere intangibility
disembodied
vsunphysical
15 8.0

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

is more general, applying to any nonmaterial or mental existence
immaterial
vsunphysical
4 7.4

Not physical and cannot be touched

adds a focus on mental or nonearthly aspects beyond mere matterlessness
incorporeal
vsunphysical
2 9.9

Not having a physical body or shape that you can touch

is broader, covering ideas of mind or belief not tied to matter
nonphysical
vsunphysical
1 7.0

Not having a body you can touch or see

is broader, used for mind or belief matters as well as lack of touch
etheric
vsunphysical
  • Jargon
1 9.8

Light and delicate with a feeling of something not physical

is less poetic and covers general nonmaterial or mental senses
unsubstantial
vsunphysical
1 7.3

Not solid or real and having little value

is stronger, meaning simply not related to the physical world at all
noncorporeal
vsunphysical
1 9.8

Without a physical body or shape

is wider, applying to mental or nonmaterial aspects as well
nonmaterial
vsunphysical
1 7.7

Has no physical form and is about ideas or feelings

extends that idea to include mental and spiritual experiences
unbodied
vsunphysical
  • Archaic
9.9

Not having a physical form like a ghost or spirit

is more general, including nonbodily mental or immaterial notions
unembodied
vsunphysical
9.9

Not having a physical body, like a ghost

covers that sense plus nonmaterial ideas of mind or belief

Antonyms

798 2.7

About real material things you can see or touch

How Physical

physical
798 2.7
tangible
1 3.9
intangible
22 7.2
unphysical
9.1

Surface Forms

unphysical positive

Morphology

unphysical = physical (transparent) = un + physical

Formed by the productive negative prefix 'un-' plus the adjective 'physical', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not physical'.

Etymology

Unphysical is made of un- ('not') and physical, where physical means 'of the body or material things'. So unphysical means 'not material' or 'not of the body', used for minds, spirits, or other things outside the physical world.