body
/ˈbɒd.i/- 1.
The whole physical form of a person or animal, including the head, arms, legs, and other parts. It can also mean the main part of something, without its head or outside cover.
- My body feels tired today.
- The body of the report is very detailed.
- She covered her body with a blanket.
- 2.
A group of people who work or act together for a purpose, especially in an official or public role.
- The election body made its decision.
- An expert body reviewed the plan.
- The student body supports the new rule.
- 3.
The dead body of a person or animal. This use is formal or serious.
- Police found the body near the river.
- The body was taken to the hospital.
- The body remained unidentified.
Adinary Nuance
Body is the most general word for the physical form of a person or animal. Use it instead of figure or form when you mean the whole physical being, not shape alone. It can also mean a group or the main part of something, which makes it broader than many close words. In formal writing, body is common and natural, especially in academic and business contexts.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cơ thể
- Spanish
- cuerpo
- Chinese
- 身体
- Japanese
- 体
- Korean
- 몸
Etymology
Body comes from Old English bodig, meaning a physical form or trunk. The word has been used in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between body and corpse?
- Body is neutral and common. Corpse is more formal and specifically means a dead body.
- Can body mean a group of people?
- Yes. It can mean an official group, like a committee or student body.
- Is body used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in phrases like body of evidence or the main body of an essay.
- Does body only mean a person’s physical form?
- No. It can also mean the main part of something, or a group with a shared purpose.