corporeal
kor-POR-ee-uhl
/kɔːˈpɔː.ri.əl/
Relating to a person's body as opposed to their spirit or mind; having a physical body.
Emphasizes tangibility, biological body, and material form.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'corpus' meaning body. Also gave birth to words like corpse, corps, and corporation.
Word relationships
- bodily: Bodily is everyday language, while corporeal is formal and academic.
- physical: Physical applies to any matter, while corporeal specifically relates to body structures.
- incorporeal: Lacking physical or bodily form.
- spiritual: Relating to non-physical realm.
Commonly confused with
- corporate: Corporate relates to a business organization, corporeal relates to a physical body.
Word family
- corporeality (noun): The state of having a physical body.
Collocations
- corporeal form
- corporeal existence
- corporeal substance
Example sentences
- "Angels were traditionally considered non-physical beings lacking corporeal form." Theology and Metaphysics
Memory hook
CORPoreal looks like CORPse — a physical body. Corpse = bodily form.
When not to use
Do not use for inanimate material objects like rocks unless contrasting with spiritual existence.
Fun facts
- In law, corporeal property refers to tangible assets like land or equipment.
Related words
Explore more words
tactile, worldly, temporal, materiality, sensory, kinesthetic
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