body beautiful: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Journalistic, literary, sometimes ironic.
Quick answer
What does “body beautiful” mean?
An idealized conception of a physically perfect human form.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An idealized conception of a physically perfect human form.
Used to refer to the pursuit, culture, or industry surrounding physical fitness, health, and aesthetic perfection of the body; often used ironically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English, particularly in journalistic and lifestyle contexts. In American English, similar concepts are often expressed by 'perfect body' or 'ideal physique'.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry an ironic or slightly mocking tone when applied to someone overly concerned with their looks. Without irony, it denotes a sincere appreciation for physical beauty.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but recognisable. Higher in UK media (tabloids, lifestyle magazines).
Grammar
How to Use “body beautiful” in a Sentence
the + body beautifulpursuit of + the body beautifuldevoted to + the body beautifulVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body beautiful” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She has always worshipped at the altar of the body beautiful.
American English
- He dedicated his life to pursuing the body beautiful.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In marketing for fitness, cosmetic, or fashion industries: 'The brand sells the dream of the body beautiful.'
Academic
In cultural studies discussing beauty standards: 'The chapter critiques the societal obsession with the body beautiful.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless used humorously: 'He's off to the gym again, a true disciple of the body beautiful.'
Technical
Not used in technical/scientific contexts related to anatomy or physiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body beautiful”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body beautiful”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body beautiful”
- Using it as an adjective (*'a body beautiful person') – it is a noun phrase.
- Omitting 'the' when referring to the general concept (*'He is obsessed with body beautiful').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a fixed noun phrase. You cannot say 'a body beautiful model'. You say 'a model who epitomizes the body beautiful'.
Yes, the phrase is gender-neutral, though the specific ideals it references have historically been gendered (e.g., Adonis vs. Venus).
It is not an everyday conversational phrase. It is more common in writing, particularly in journalism, cultural commentary, and lifestyle media.
'A beautiful body' is a straightforward description. 'The body beautiful' is a cultural concept or ideal, often used with 'the' and carrying broader societal connotations.
An idealized conception of a physically perfect human form.
Body beautiful is usually journalistic, literary, sometimes ironic. in register.
Body beautiful: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɒdi ˈbjuːtɪf(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɑːdi ˈbjuːt̬ɪf(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A slave to the body beautiful”
- “The cult of the body beautiful”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a classic statue in a museum – that's the 'BODY' everyone admires as 'BEAUTIFUL'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A TEMPLE (to be perfected and worshipped).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'the body beautiful' typically express when used non-ironically?