impractical

[im-prak-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. not practical or useful.

2. not capable of dealing with practical matters; lacking sense.

3. idealistic.

4. impracticable.

impractical

/ ɪmˈpræktɪkəl /

adjective

1. not practical or workable

   an impractical solution

2. not given to practical matters or gifted with practical skills

   he is intelligent but too impractical for commercial work

Other Word Forms

• impracticality noun
• impracticalness noun
• impractically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impractical¹

First recorded in 1860–65; im- ² + practical

Example Sentences

Mr Turbeest acknowledged that offering wider relief would be impractical, given the vast number of businesses affected.

From BBC

It warned that it is "impractical" to expect many of these parts to be sourced domestically, resulting in higher costs for the industry.

From BBC

Attorneys for both government entities had argued against such a broad ban at the recent court hearing, saying it was impractical and would ultimately put law enforcement at risk.

From Los Angeles Times

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said she was "bitterly disappointed" the strike went ahead, calling the demands "unaffordable and impractical".

From BBC

It’s an unquestioned article of faith, for instance, that left-wing policies and programs are both impractical and politically toxic.

From Salon

Related Words

• absurd 
• illogical 
• impossible 
• improbable 
• quixotic 
• speculative 
• unattainable 
• unreal 
• unusable 
• unwise 
• unworkable 
• useless