bodywork

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The outer metal or plastic panels of a vehicle that cover the frame and give it shape.

   Grammar: Uncountable: you cannot say 'a bodywork' or 'bodyworks' in this sense.

   Patterns

   • repair the bodywork
   • damage the bodywork
   • bodywork repair

   The car's bodywork was scratched in the parking lot.

   He spent the weekend polishing the bodywork until it shone.

   The mechanic said the bodywork would cost more to fix than the engine.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   A type of complementary therapy that involves manipulating and massaging the body's soft tissues.

   Grammar: Uncountable: 'She practices bodywork' not 'a bodywork'.

   Patterns

   • practice bodywork
   • bodywork therapist
   • bodywork session

   She offers bodywork sessions to help clients relax.

   After the accident, he tried bodywork to ease his back pain.

   The spa added bodywork to its list of treatments.

Common combinations

car bodywork

The car bodywork was dented in several places.

bodywork repair

The garage specializes in bodywork repair.

damage the bodywork

Be careful not to damage the bodywork when you park.

bodywork therapist

The bodywork therapist used gentle pressure on my shoulders.

Synonyms and how they differ

panelwork

Panelwork refers specifically to the metal panels of a vehicle; bodywork is the more common everyday term.

massage

Massage is a general term for rubbing the body; bodywork is a broader therapy that may include massage and other techniques.

Word family

body noun

The physical structure of a person or animal.

bodyshop noun

A place where vehicle bodywork is repaired.

Commonly confused: bodywork or body bag?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bodywork”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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