practicality

American  

[prak-ti-kal-i-tee] / ˌpræk tɪˈkæl ɪ ti /

Rarely practicalness

noun

plural

practicalities

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?”

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Other Word Forms

• nonpracticality noun

Etymology

Origin of practicality

practical ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

For many younger buyers, practicality is the driving force.

From Barron's

Other Pacific islands are adamantly opposed, saying offshore mining is too dangerous, with science on its practicality lacking.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her outfits were meticulously designed - both with practicality in mind, and often with subliminal messages of soft power, diplomacy and stability.

From BBC

Walker searched for others who made similar decisions, to guide him in the practicalities of the move.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are expected to discuss the practicalities of moving to the next phase of the peace process.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• common-sense