online vocabulary.com

Corporal - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Corporal refers to something related to the body, often physical or tangible. It can also denote a military rank, typically above a private and below a sergeant.

corporal

/ˈkɔrpərəl/ /ˈkɔːpərəl/

Definition:

Relating to the body; a low-ranking non-commissioned officer in the armed forces.

Synonyms:

bodily, physical, somatic

Part of Speech:

adjective, noun

Antonyms:

mental, spiritual

Common Collocations:

corporal punishment, corporal rank, corporal injury

Derivatives:

corporally, corporality

Usage Tips:

Use "corporal" for physical matters or as a military rank; avoid confusion with "corporate."

Common Phrases:

corporal punishment, corporal works of mercy, lift a corporal's stripes

Etymology:

From Latin "corporalis," meaning "of the body," derived from "corpus" (body).

Examples:

  • 1. The soldier was promoted to corporal last week.
  • 2. Corporal punishment is banned in many schools.
  • 3. She suffered corporal injuries in the accident.
  • 4. The term refers to both physical and military contexts.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS