practical
Americanadjective
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of or relating to practice or action.
practical mathematics.
- Synonyms:
- pragmatic
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consisting of, involving, or resulting from practice or action.
a practical application of a rule.
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of, relating to, or concerned with ordinary activities, business, or work.
a habitual dreamer, who can't be bothered with practical affairs.
-
adapted or designed for actual use; useful.
practical instructions.
-
engaged or experienced in actual practice or work.
a practical politician credited with much legislation.
-
inclined toward or fitted for actual work or useful activities.
looking for a practical person to fill this position.
-
mindful of the results, usefulness, advantages or disadvantages, etc., of action or procedure.
- Antonyms:
- foolish, unwise, imprudent, ill-advised
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being such in practice or effect; virtual.
Her promotion to manager is a practical certainty.
-
Theater. practicable.
adjective
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of, involving, or concerned with experience or actual use; not theoretical
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of or concerned with ordinary affairs, work, etc
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adapted or adaptable for use
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of, involving, or trained by practice
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being such for all useful or general purposes; virtual
noun
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
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of practical
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English. See practic, -al 1
Explanation
A stapler is a practical object — it has a use. A hand-crocheted stapler cozy designed to keep a stapler warm at night? Not practical at all. The word practice, in the sense of "doing," is embedded in the word practical, which is all about "doing." "Is it practical?" means, is it good to do this? Does it have a use? Will it work? Silk shoes in a rainstorm? They're just not practical. A London Fog raincoat? Definitely practical.
Vocabulary lists containing practical
Positive Adjectives to Describe People
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Nothing But the Truth
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List 13
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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.
People often think supporting someone through grief needs to be an act of emotional labor, but offering practical help is equally important.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Barring an unexpected pivot by the SEC, practical considerations are fast approaching for investors and companies alike.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Mouse House is hiring PhD-level talent to study “computer graphics and AI” for Pixar and Disney films, people to “bridge the gap between research and practical studio application.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
The practical nature of the placement also helped Kelsey build her confidence.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Galileo’s theory was practical; it just took a full century to pay off.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
