practically
Americanadverb
-
virtually; almost
it has rained practically every day
-
in actuality rather than in theory
what can we do practically to help?
Usage
A few usage guides object to the use of practically in the senses “in effect, virtually” and “almost, nearly.” Both uses, however, are well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing.
Etymology
Origin of practically
Explanation
Practically means "nearly," like being practically broke if you have three dollars left in the whole world. It also means "done in a practical way" — if you wear sneakers on a long walk, you’re dressed practically. There are two main senses of practically. If you have practically no free time, you have nearly no free time. If your hair is practically blonde, it is almost blonde. Also, this word can refer to the sense of practical as sensible and realistic. A smart worker will know how to get the job done practically (efficiently). A smart investor will invest money practically (wisely). Doing things practically is the opposite of being reckless and unrealistic.
Vocabulary lists containing practically
Holes
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Frindle
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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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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.
For many states, Talwani concluded, compliance before the midterms was practically impossible.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
"In this work, we aimed to overcome this mismatch between the readily available and the practically useful forms of entanglement," says Andrés-Juanes.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 2026
Like many millennial girls who came of age when diet culture was practically an extracurricular activity, I could mentally toggle between Weight Watchers points and the “Pocket Calorie Counter” with alarming fluency.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026
It would be very weird to say that practically everyone I was working with was a mentor, but in a way it’s true.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
She’d stood over him the entire time, her eyes narrowed and mouth pursed into a thin line, and the kid had practically shrunk five inches by the time it was all over.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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.
