impracticable

[ im-prak-ti-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not practicable; incapable of being put into practice with the available means:

   an impracticable plan.

2. unsuitable for practical use or purposes, as a device or material.
3. (of ground, places, etc.) impassable.
4. (of persons) hard to deal with because of stubbornness, stupidity, etc.

impracticable

/ ɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being put into practice or accomplished; not feasible
2. unsuitable for a desired use; unfit
3. See intractable
   an archaic word for intractable

Derived Forms

• imˌpracticaˈbility, noun
• imˈpracticably, adverb

Other Words From

• im·practi·ca·bili·ty im·practi·ca·ble·ness noun
• im·practi·ca·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impracticable¹

First recorded in 1645–55; im- ² + practicable

Example Sentences

So part of the reason ice cream was so coveted is that, like vanilla, it was scarce and impracticable.

From Eater

I looked over the terrace; it was far too high to leap from; escape, if there was danger, was impracticable.

From Project Gutenberg

It has usually been considered impracticable to combine any powers of compulsion with a Poor Law system.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he conclusively proves the first impracticable and the second inexpedient.

From Project Gutenberg

He was crotchetty and impracticable, a man of rash judgment and hasty action-as brave and as tenacious as a bulldog.

From Project Gutenberg

Suffice it to say, the bordeaux was very respectable; but the beefsteak impracticable, and the poulette questionable.

From Project Gutenberg