noncorporeal

Noncorporeal is an adjective describing something that lacks a physical body or form. In English, the term is formed from non- + corporeal, from Latin corporeus, meaning “of the body.” It is often used interchangeably with incorporeal or immaterial, though there are stylistic nuances: noncorporeal emphasizes the absence of a physical body rather than absence from matter.

In philosophy and metaphysics, noncorporeal entities are discussed in relation to the mind, the soul, or other non-physical realities. Dualist theories hold that the mind or soul may be noncorporeal, while materialist approaches deny this possibility. The term also appears in discussions of consciousness and personal identity when scholars consider non-physical explanations.

In religion and folklore, noncorporeal beings include souls, angels, ghosts, spirits, and other immaterial entities. Their described properties commonly include immortality or perception without physical organs, and the capacity to act in ways not constrained by bodily form.

In fiction and media, noncorporeal characters are common in fantasy and science fiction, portrayed as intangible or able to pass through matter. They may interact with corporeal beings through special rules of contact, energy transfer, or magic.

The term remains primarily scholarly and literary; in empirical science it is used mainly as a descriptive or figurative label rather than a testable category. See also incorporeal, immaterial, mind–body problem.