practically

[ prak-tik-lee ]

/ ˈpræk tɪk li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR practically ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

in effect; virtually: It is practically useless to protest.

in a practical manner: to think practically.

from a practical point of view: Practically speaking, the plan is not very promising.

almost; nearly: Their provisions were practically gone.

Nearby words

practical joke, practical nurse, practical reason, practicalism, practicality, practically, practice, practice makes perfect, practice what you preach, practice-teach, practiced

Origin of practically

First recorded in 1615–25; practical + -ly

Usage note

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for practically

In that country at that moment, the Catholics have practically disappeared.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch.
The Most Exciting New Hotels, Restaurants, and Submarines of 2014|Charlie Gilbert|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Industrial Revolution and Victorian practically erased the holiday in England.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One bite too many, and I could look down and practically see my thighs expanding before my eyes.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Rising up from scooping bay, the steep topography—hemmed by hills of evergreens—promises panoramas at practically every turn.
Next Stop, Quito: Our Top Cities for 2015|Brandon Presser|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because this fact is theoretically true, it is not practically true also.
The Problems of Psychical Research|Hereward Carrington
Its live stock is so depleted as to be practically destroyed.
The New Germany|George Young
Practically every field is treated as a separate farm in itself.
The Danes in Lancashire and Yorkshire|S. W. Partington
It possesses its own nouns, verbs and other parts of speech, a sprinkling of slang, and practically no "swear" words.
The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe|Ernest Young
Practically, it is quite impossible to handle individual projects in large classes.
Adequate Preparation for the Teacher of Biological Sciences in Secondary Schools|James Daley McDonald

British Dictionary definitions for practically

practically

/ (ˈpræktɪkəlɪ, -klɪ) /

adverb

virtually; almostit has rained practically every day

in actuality rather than in theorywhat can we do practically to help?

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012