practise
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
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to do or cause to do repeatedly in order to gain skill
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(tr) to do (something) habitually or frequently
they practise ritual murder
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to observe or pursue (something, such as a religion)
to practise Christianity
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to work at (a profession, job, etc)
he practises medicine
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to take advantage of (someone, someone's credulity, etc)
Usage
What’s the difference between practise and practice? In British English (and many other international varieties of English), the spelling practise is used when the word is a verb, while the spelling practice is used when it’s a noun. In American English, the spelling practice is always used, regardless of whether the word is used as a verb or a noun. This is somewhat similar to the difference in spelling between advice (noun) and advise (verb)—a distinction that’s used in both British and American English. However, unlike advice and advise, practise and practice are always pronounced the same. Here is an example of how practise and practice would be used in the same sentence in British English. Example: Remember, practice makes perfect—the more you practise, the better you will get. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between practise and practice.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of practise
C15: see practice
Explanation
The word practise is a variant spelling for the verb practice. American English spells both the noun and verb forms practice. For the Brits, the noun form is still spelled practice, but the verb is practise. To practise is to do something repeatedly or habitually. If you've always practised good spending habits, you are probably in good shape financially even though the economy is bad. To practise also means to learn something or become proficient at it by rehearsing or performing regularly. If you ask a Brit how to get to Carnegie Hall, he might respond, "Practise, practise, practise."
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.
See Examples For:
Just practise especially in a windy day like today.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
She also suggests a "goodbye ritual" with your child to practise separation, such as blowing a kiss.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
You can also practise standing on one leg, for example while brushing your teeth.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
During the 10-day Han Kuang drills that end Friday, Taiwan's military staged combat scenarios for its troops and reservists to practise responding to a Chinese attack.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
“We ought to practise a gallop. After all, we can’t walk all the time, not when he is hunting us.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Clients have drifted away from Song Oh-soon's fortune-telling village on the edge of Seoul, preferring online AI-powered divination to the centuries-old prophesying tradition still practised there.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Quiñonez, 30, has been campaigning to eradicate the practice in Colombia - where it is still practised by members of her Emberá Indigenous community.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The 39-year-old, who practised as a vet in Pakistan, patched himself up with glue stitches rather than wait at A&E. He said his children are now fearful of being attacked in school.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
The sound of pliers clicking filled a workshop in eastern China's Hangzhou as a group of women practised stripping wires, their female instructor moving around the classroom to offer advice.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
When my child is ready, I thought now, I will teach him too; and I practised harder than ever lest my fingers should lose their skill.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Hwang gathered along with 30 neighbours for a session in August, practising how to pay hospital bills at mock kiosks, patting a prancing robot dog, or asking their phones: "Gemini, tell me about tomorrow's weather."
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
Refering to its current beauty therapy provision, it said it was "delivered by practising beauty therapists and includes training on ethical practice, personal safety and clear professional boundaries when working with clients of all genders".
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
It recognises Protestantism and Catholicism as official religions, but practising organisations must register with the government -- something many Christians feel yields an unacceptable amount of control over church affairs and teachings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
Then, when he was eight, Barce picked up a tennis racket from the bin and started practising.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Secondly, Thomas held that individuals were identified as practising witchcraft and demonic magic as a result of social tensions, particularly with regard to the distribution of charity.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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