Language Research

body · noun C

/ˈbɒd.i/Full view

body (PERSON)

A1 the whole physical structure that forms a person or animal

Dictionary examples:

A good diet and plenty of exercise will help you to keep your body healthy.

She rubbed sun lotion over her entire body.

Learner example:

I think swimming is good for my body. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

body (DEAD)

A2 a dead person

Dictionary example:

A body was washed up on the beach last week.

Learner example:

I cried a lot next [to] his cold body. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

body (NOT ARMS/LEGS)

B1 the main part of a person's or animal's body, without the head, arms and legs

Dictionary example:

The dog had a thin body and short legs.

Learner example:

There was a black spider with long legs and a fat round body near my head. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

body (GROUP)

C2 + singular or plural verb an official group of people who work together

Dictionary example:

the sport's regulatory body

Learner example:

This progress is also facilitated by companies and organisations that are represented in many countries, institutions that tend to be controlled by centrally defined policies or a single governing body. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hungarian)

keep body and soul together

C2 to be able to pay for your food, clothing and somewhere to live

Dictionary example:

His wages are barely enough to keep body and soul together.

Learner example:

Not only does he keep body and soul together, but he is [o]n good terms with his wife. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

body and soul ()

C2 used to emphasize that someone does something with all their effort and energy

Dictionary example:

They entered into the relationship body and soul.

Learner example:

If nowadays women are, for [the] vast majority, working, it occurs to me that some of them are not willing to devote themselves body and soul to their work. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)