physical manifestation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformal

   A visible, bodily or tangible sign that shows an inner feeling, condition or invisible thing exists.

   Grammar: Followed by 'of': a physical manifestation of anxiety.

   Patterns

   • a physical manifestation of something
   • the physical manifestations of something

   Headaches were the physical manifestation of her constant worry.

   Trembling hands can be a physical manifestation of fear.

   The doctor explained that the rash was a physical manifestation of the body's stress response.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   A concrete form that an idea, plan or abstract concept takes in the real world.

   Grammar: Used for things you can see or touch: the statue was a physical manifestation of the town's pride.

   Patterns

   • a physical manifestation of an idea

   The new library is the physical manifestation of years of community effort.

   For the architect, the building was the physical manifestation of his philosophy.

   A passport is the physical manifestation of your right to travel.

Word forms

Common combinations

physical manifestation of stress

Back pain can be a physical manifestation of stress.

a clear physical manifestation

The tremor was a clear physical manifestation of her nerves.

outward physical manifestation

Blushing is an outward physical manifestation of embarrassment.

physical manifestations of grief

Doctors recognise several physical manifestations of grief.

the physical manifestation of power

The huge palace was the physical manifestation of the king's power.

Synonyms and how they differ

sign

Sign is shorter and more general, while physical manifestation stresses that the evidence appears in the body or in a real object.

embodiment

Embodiment suggests the quality is fully represented by someone or something, whereas manifestation is just a way the thing shows itself.

symptom

Symptom is used for medical conditions, but a physical manifestation can also be of non-medical things like ideas.

Word family

manifest verb

to show clearly

manifestation noun

a sign or outward display

manifest adjective

clear and obvious

physically adverb

in a bodily way

Commonly confused: physical manifestation or manifesto?

Practice

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