practicable
Americanadjective
-
capable of being done, effected, or put into practice, with the available means; feasible.
a practicable solution.
- Synonyms:
- attainable, achievable, workable
- Antonyms:
- unfeasible
-
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.
adjective
-
capable of being done; feasible
-
usable
Synonym Usage
See possible.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of practicable
1660–70; < Medieval Latin practic ( āre ) to practice + -able
Explanation
Something that is practicable is something that can be reasonably done. Look at the word within the word, practice, plus the suffix -able, and you have something that is able to be put into practice, or practicable. Practicable is an adjective built from the word practice and can thus be traced to the Medieval Latin verb practicare and the Medieval French pratiquer, both of which meant "to practice." With the addition of a "c" to remind us of "practice," the French praticable, "able to be put into practice," became the English practicable.
Vocabulary lists containing practicable
The Launch of Sputnik 1
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "P"
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This Week in Words: June 25 - 29, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Practicable means "that may be done or accomplished," and implies that the means or resources are available; as, a practicable road, a practicable aim.
From Slips of Speech : a Helpful Book for Everyone Who Aspires to Correct the Everyday Errors of Speaking by Bechtel, John Hendricks
"Practicable Socialism" became the ideal of the reforming party, who styled themselves "Progressives."
From Fifteen Chapters of Autobiography by Russell, George William Erskine
That the Scheme I now offer is Practicable, and if encouraged will be Useful.”
From A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine by Thurston, Robert H.
Practicable and beneficent here, it must be the same there.
From The Duel Between France and Germany by Sumner, Charles
Practicable, practical.—That is practicable which can be done; that is practical which is not theoretical only: as, "a practicable plan," "a practical electrician."
From Practical Exercises in English by Buehler, Huber Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
