nonphysical
Lacking material form
Nonphysical describes things that have no material substance or bodily form—the opposite of physical.
Emotions, thoughts, and spiritual experiences are nonphysical.
The term appears in discussions contrasting tangible and intangible: nonphysical assets like intellectual property, nonphysical symptoms like anxiety, nonphysical intimacy in relationships.
In philosophy, it often describes the mind or soul as distinct from the body.
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- invisibleCannot be seen
- impalpableUnable to be touched
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
untouchable · formless · bodiless · disembodied · weightless · ethereal · vaporous · ungraspable
Abstract mental construct
- ideaMental formation
- theoryExplanatory set of principles
- principleFundamental truth or standard
- notionImprecise mental impression
philosophy · thesis · hypothesis · abstraction · paradigm · doctrine · ideology · postulate
Apparition of the dead
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
poltergeist · wraith · haunting · possession · paranormal · occult · séance · ectoplasm
Innermost animating essence
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- faithTrust without proof
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
enlightenment · prayer · meditation · transcendence · sacred · salvation · nirvana · afterlife
Mental concept or reflection
- mindSeat of consciousness
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
awareness · intelligence · understanding · cognition · reasoning · imagination · attention · intention
immaterial
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- invisibleCannot be seen
- impalpableUnable to be touched
insubstantial · untouchable · formless · bodiless · disembodied · weightless · ethereal · vaporous · ungraspable · nonmaterial
concept
Abstract mental construct
notion · philosophy · thesis · hypothesis · abstraction · paradigm · doctrine · ideology · postulate · axiom
ghost
Apparition of the dead
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
spirit · poltergeist · wraith · haunting · possession · paranormal · occult · séance · ectoplasm · manifestation
soul
Innermost animating essence
karma · enlightenment · prayer · meditation · transcendence · sacred · salvation · nirvana · afterlife · blessing
thought
Mental concept or reflection
- mindSeat of consciousness
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- memoryMind's retention capacity
perception · awareness · intelligence · understanding · cognition · reasoning · imagination · attention · intention · belief
feeling
Sensed inner state
joy · anger · grief · anxiety · happiness · sadness · passion · nostalgia · loneliness · envy
- idealismplatonic ideals, Platonic ideals, neoplatonism, Platonism, ideals
physical, physics, physician, physically, metaphysical, metaphysics, physicality, physic, metaphysician