pragmatic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
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Philosophy. of or relating to pragmatism.
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of or relating to pragmatics.
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treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
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of or relating to the affairs of state or community.
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Archaic.
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busy; active.
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officious; meddlesome; interfering.
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dogmatic; opinionated.
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noun
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Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.
adjective
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advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
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philosophy of or relating to pragmatism
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involving everyday or practical business
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of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community
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rare interfering or meddlesome; officious
Usage
What does pragmatic mean? Pragmatic means practical, especially when making decisions.The word pragmatic is often contrasted with the word idealistic, which means based on or having high principles or ideals. Pragmatic, on the other hand, means based on real world conditions or circumstances—considering what can realistically be done as opposed to the best theoretical course of action. A person who acts pragmatically can be called a pragmatist.The noun form of pragmatic is pragmatism. Pragmatism can mean the practice of being pragmatic, but it can also more specifically refer to the philosophical movement that emphasizes practical consequences in the determination of meaning, truth, or value.Example: We need a candidate who’s pragmatic and can get things done in the real world—not some idealist who will never compromise.
Other Word Forms
- antipragmatic adjective
- antipragmatical adjective
- antipragmatically adverb
- nonpragmatic adjective
- nonpragmatical adjective
- nonpragmatically adverb
- pragmaticality noun
- pragmatically adverb
- pragmaticalness noun
- unpragmatic adjective
- unpragmatical adjective
- unpragmatically adverb
Etymology
Origin of pragmatic
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikós “practical,” equivalent to prāgmat-, stem of prâgma “deed, state business,” derivative of prā́ssein “to do, fare” + -ikos -ic; practic
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.
“I think we’re gonna be pragmatic about it,” she said at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit earlier this month.
What’s needed is a pragmatic and courageous paradigm shift, one that begins with naming and recognizing the contemporary libels used to demonize Jews.
Paris Men’s Fashion Week, which wrapped up Sunday, saw designers opt for often pragmatic and timeless styling, reflecting a low-risk approach at an uncertain time for the industry, experts said.
From Barron's
Writing on X, she said: "We want to speak to those who feel politically homeless and to work with them - and business - to develop practical, pragmatic policies to improve lives & opportunities."
From BBC
More broadly, however, they emphasise the need for beach-goers to adopt a less idyllic and more pragmatic attitude towards the ocean.
From BBC
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.
