practical

[prak-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to practice or action.

   practical mathematics.

   Synonyms: pragmatic

2. consisting of, involving, or resulting from practice or action.

   a practical application of a rule.

3. of, relating to, or concerned with ordinary activities, business, or work.

   a habitual dreamer, who can't be bothered with practical affairs.

4. adapted or designed for actual use; useful.

   practical instructions.

5. engaged or experienced in actual practice or work.

   a practical politician credited with much legislation.

6. inclined toward or fitted for actual work or useful activities.

   looking for a practical person to fill this position.

7. mindful of the results, usefulness, advantages or disadvantages, etc., of action or procedure.

   Antonyms: foolish, unwise, imprudent, ill-advised

8. matter-of-fact; prosaic.

9. being such in practice or effect; virtual.

   Her promotion to manager is a practical certainty.

10. Theater.,  practicable.

practical

/ ˈpræktɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or concerned with experience or actual use; not theoretical

2. of or concerned with ordinary affairs, work, etc

3. adapted or adaptable for use

4. of, involving, or trained by practice

5. being such for all useful or general purposes; virtual

noun

1. an examination in the practical skills of a subject

   a science practical

Usage

A distinction is usually made between practical and practicable. Practical refers to a person, idea, project, etc, as being more concerned with or relevant to practice than theory: he is a very practical person; the idea had no practical application. Practicable refers to a project or idea as being capable of being done or put into effect: the plan was expensive, yet practicable

Other Word Forms

• practicality noun
• practicalness noun
• nonpractical adjective
• nonpractically adverb
• nonpracticalness noun
• prepractical adjective
• quasi-practical adjective
• quasi-practically adverb
• semipractical adjective
• ultrapractical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of practical¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English. See practic, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of practical¹

C17: from earlier practic, from French pratique, via Late Latin from Greek praktikos, from prassein to experience, negotiate, perform

Idioms and Phrases

see to all intents and (for all practical) purposes.

Synonym Study

Practical, judicious, sensible refer to good judgment in action, conduct, and the handling of everyday matters. Practical suggests the ability to adopt means to an end or to turn what is at hand to account: to adopt practical measures for settling problems. Judicious implies the possession and use of discreet judgment, discrimination, and balance: a judicious use of one's time. Sensible implies the possession and use of sound reason and shrewd common sense: a sensible suggestion.

Example Sentences

The King's Foundation provides opportunities for people to learn practical heritage skills and focuses on sustainability.

Read more on BBC

Beyond revealing striking new anatomy, the research provides a practical framework for future studies of dinosaur soft tissue.

Read more on Science Daily

The research has practical implications far beyond the brewing world.

Read more on Science Daily

It is, in a modest and practical way, an expression of the biblical injunction to honor one’s parents—not by grand gestures, but by assuming a few of the small responsibilities they habitually postpone.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This practical ensemble was uniform but still allowed for personal touches.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• businesslike 
• constructive 
• down-to-earth 
• efficient 
• factual 
• feasible 
• functional 
• possible 
• practicable 
• pragmatic 
• rational 
• reasonable 
• sane 
• sensible 
• sober 
• workable