practise

[prak-tis]

verb (used with or without object)

British.

practised, practising 

1. practice.

practise

/ ˈpræktɪs /

verb

1. to do or cause to do repeatedly in order to gain skill

2. (tr) to do (something) habitually or frequently

   they practise ritual murder

3. to observe or pursue (something, such as a religion)

   to practise Christianity

4. to work at (a profession, job, etc)

   he practises medicine

5. to take advantage of (someone, someone's credulity, etc)

Other Word Forms

• mispractise noun
• prepractise verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of practise¹

C15: see _practice

Example Sentences

He said people were "very rarely" prosecuted for practising witchcraft, but it helped protect elderly women who faced mob justice in villages after being accused of bewitching someone and causing their death.

From BBC

Kingsley went back inside and sidled up to the piano where Mercury was practising - it was a new song with the working title Freddie's Thing.

From BBC

The three-minute routine is broadcast on television and practised in small community groups across the country.

From BBC

"I think it's more of an iconic goal because it's the derby, you score and win the game 2-1. But you don't practise overhead kicks."

From BBC

"You could be resting, you could be practising, you could be playing another tournament. But for me I always want to try and prioritise that in my career."

From BBC

When To Use

What’s the difference between practise and practice?

In British English (and many other international varieties of English), the spelling practise is used when the word is a verb, while the spelling practice is used when it’s a noun. In American English, the spelling practice is always used, regardless of whether the word is used as a verb or a noun.This is somewhat similar to the difference in spelling between advice (noun) and advise (verb)—a distinction that’s used in both British and American English.However, unlike advice and advise, practise and practice are always pronounced the same.Here is an example of how practise and practice would be used in the same sentence in British English.Example: Remember, practice makes perfect—the more you practise, the better you will get. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between practise and practice.