Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a manner relating to physical, especially sexual, appetites and activities: The word "carnally" describes actions or desires connected to the physical body and its senses, often with a strong emphasis on sexuality, as opposed to the spiritual or intellectual.
   • In a sensual or fleshly manner: It can also refer more broadly to a focus on worldly, bodily pleasures.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • He was accused of knowing her carnally. (He was accused of having a sexual relationship with her.)
  • She wrote about desire carnally and without shame. (She wrote about desire in a physical, sensual way and without feeling ashamed.)
  • The philosophy rejected purely carnally motivated pursuits. (The philosophy rejected pursuits driven only by bodily pleasures.)

Advanced Usage

• "Carnally knowing": A formal or legal phrase meaning to have sexual intercourse with someone.
  • The old statute referred to the crime of "carnally knowing" a minor.
• Used to contrast physical and spiritual states.
  • He argued that humans are connected carnally to the earth but spiritually to the divine.

Variants and Related Words

• Carnal (adjective): Relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities.
  • carnal desires, carnal knowledge
• Carnality (noun): The state of being carnal; preoccupation with physical, especially sexual, pleasure.
  • The poem explores themes of love and carnality.

Synonyms

• Sensually: In a way that relates to the physical senses.
• Fleshly: In a manner pertaining to the body and its appetites.
• Sexually: In a manner involving physical sexual activity.

Antonyms

• Spiritually: In a way that relates to the spirit or soul, not physical matters.
• Platonically: In a way that is intimate but not sexual.

Adverb

1. in a carnal manner