practicality

[ prak-ti-kal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural prac·ti·cal·i·ties.

1. the quality of being adapted or designed for actual use; usefulness or convenience:

   Your home furniture choices should be based on practicality, durability, and beauty.

2. interest in or inclination toward actual work or activity as opposed to theories or ideas:

   My mother was an entrepreneur whose tremendous vision, teamed with her practicality, “moved mountains.”

3. a detail or consideration involved in putting something into action:

   She talked with culinary students about their dreams as well as the practicalities of launching a food business.

4. the constraints or demands of real life or actual implementation:

   Economy and practicality dictate that we can't save every green space from development.

5. the quality or fact of relating to actual activity, especially ordinary or everyday activity:

   I appreciate the real-world practicality of the question, “What does it mean to be a father?”

Other Words From

• non·prac·ti·cal·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of practicality¹

practical ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

That’s why practicality and affordability are now my biggest priorities when I’m shopping for a new pair.

From Outside Online

She also has a strong focus on practicalities and avoids getting defensive when questioned.

From No Straight News

The practicality of how that will work out is a different issue.

From Fortune

The ample faux leather-wrapped padding on both the headband and the ear cups make them very comfortable to wear, even for longer sessions, which is great for work from home practicality.

From TechCrunch

Still, the authors write, such a mission may be approaching practicality.

From Singularity Hub 

The naysayers that Hoffman encountered along the way still have questions about the practicality of the vaccine he is creating.

From The Daily Beast

Contributions are going to be a lot less about ideology, and a lot more about practicality.

From The Daily Beast

All that notwithstanding, when did practicality have much leverage on a boardwalk?

From The Daily Beast

The union was driven as much by practicality as it was by love, says Kole.

From The Daily Beast

And they suggested a certain practicality that gilded rooms cannot.

From The Daily Beast

This invention has recently been brought to the stage of practicality by the United States Navy.

From Project Gutenberg

It gives a practicality, a something-you-can-touch-and-feel feeling to think in that way.

From Project Gutenberg

In Carrie's report of her work there was a ruthless practicality which was rare and which instantly won Susan's approval.

From Project Gutenberg

He is inclined to look at everything from the standpoint of its practicality and is neither stingy nor extravagant.

From Project Gutenberg

His is a practical nature and his practicality is expressed here as in everything else.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• common-sense