'physical-geographical' is a modern English compound formed from 'physical' + 'geographical'. 'physical' ultimately comes from Greek 'physikos' via Latin 'physicus', where the Greek root 'phys-' (φύσις) meant 'nature'. 'geographical' derives from Greek 'geographia' ('geo-' meaning 'earth' and '-graphia' meaning 'writing' or 'description').

'physical' entered English from Middle English and Old French forms derived from Latin 'physicus', itself from Greek 'physikos'. 'geographical' developed from Medieval Latin/Greek 'geographia' and Middle French adaptations before becoming the English adjective 'geographical'. The compound 'physical-geographical' is a later, descriptive formation used in scholarly and technical contexts to link the two senses.

Individually, 'physical' originally meant 'of nature' or 'of the body' and 'geographical' meant 'description of the earth'; combined as 'physical-geographical' the meaning has specialized to 'pertaining to physical geography'—i.e., the natural features and processes of the Earth's surface.