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:
But he has been released after his case was dismissed, and, to Tergenbayeva's horror, continues to practise.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Schönegger remembers him as a youngster who stayed on to practise his footwork and groundstrokes after the group lessons were over.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
Karua faced several hurdles before she was eventually cleared to represent Besigye - including her initial application to practise as a lawyer in Uganda being rejected.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
Pennicard advises people should practise floating in swimming pools.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
All one hears is the drummers practising; they have installed themselves somewhere and practise brokenly, dully, monotonously.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Nearby, employees of the Union shopping mall practised using fire extinguishers to put out flames within a controlled pit, under the guidance of firefighters.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 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
The team practised penalties regularly and sought to replicate, as far as possible, the actual experience in training to help the process become more driven by muscle memory.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
However, the rich resources of the northern wetlands were more suited to the lifestyle practised by hunter-gatherers.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2026
He sat very upright, threw out his chest, caressed his moustache and spoke in the manner of a practised speaker addressing a public meeting.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
The room, which doubles as a kitchen and bedroom, was decorated with flowers drawn by Habiba's 11-year-old daughter, Nahida, who was practising English that she had learnt at the village school.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
Bobbing around the shore in goggles and a wetsuit, an energetic Wu shares from her decades of experience practising the tradition she had learned from her father as a teenager.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
She decided against playing in Nottingham last week, or Eastbourne this week, but was seen practising at the All England Club on Monday.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
The day after lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires, he was already practising on the grass.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
All one hears is the drummers practising; they have installed themselves somewhere and practise brokenly, dully, monotonously.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
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.
