practicable

[prak-ti-kuh-buhl]

See more synonyms for practicable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of being done, effected, or put into practice, with the available means; feasible: a practicable solution.
capable of being used: a practicable gift.
Theater. (of a stage property or part of a set) designed or constructed for actual use; a practicable window; practicable water faucets.

Origin of practicable

1660–70; < Medieval Latin practic(āre) to practice + -able

Related formsprac·ti·ca·bil·i·ty, prac·ti·ca·ble·ness, nounprac·ti·ca·bly, adverbnon·prac·ti·ca·bil·i·ty, nounnon·prac·ti·ca·ble, adjectivenon·prac·ti·ca·ble·ness, nounnon·prac·ti·ca·bly, adverb

Can be confusedpossible practicable practical (see synonym study at possible)

Synonyms for practicable

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. workable, achievable, attainable.

Synonym study

1. See possible.

Antonyms for practicable

1. unfeasible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for practicability

prospect, risk, probability, circumstance, hazard, incident, action, opportunity, hope, anticipation, odds, expectation, possibility, feasibility, chance, contingency, convenience, practicality, versatility, fortuity

Examples from the Web for practicability

Contemporary Examples of practicability

Repeated failures to reach a desired goal can cast doubt on its practicability only if the best means have been exhausted.
Partition Skepticism and the Future of the Peace Process
Avner Inbar, Assaf Sharon
September 25, 2013

Historical Examples of practicability

He is now quoted as being thoroughly satisfied with its practicability.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
These tests demonstrated the practicability of artificial flight.
The Age of Invention
Holland Thompson
You have all the qualities, common sense, practicability, everything he hasn't got.
Galusha the Magnificent
Joseph C. Lincoln
The practicability of the plan has been proved by experience.
The Last Voyage
Lady (Annie Allnutt) Brassey
The practicability of reinforcing you has been the subject of the gravest consideration.
The Long Roll
Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for practicability

practicable

adjective

capable of being done; feasible
usable

Derived Formspracticability or practicableness, nounpracticably, adverb

Word Origin for practicable

C17: from French praticable, from pratiquer to practise; see practical

xref

See practical

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for practicability

1720

from practicable + -ity.

practicable

adj.

1670s, from Middle French pratiquable (1590s), from pratiquer "to practice," from Medieval Latin practicare "to practice" (see practical). Related: practicableness (1640s).