pragmatic

[ prag-mat-ik ]

See synonyms for: pragmatic pragmatics on Thesaurus.com

adjectiveAlso prag·mat·i·cal (for defs. 1, 2, 5).

of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
Philosophy. of or relating to pragmatism (def. 2).

of or relating to pragmatics (def. 1, 2).
treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
of or relating to the affairs of state or community.
Archaic.
- busy; active.
- officious; meddlesome; interfering.
- dogmatic; opinionated.

noun

pragmatic sanction.
Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.

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;see practic

Other words from pragmatic

prag·mat·i·cal·i·ty, prag·mat·i·cal·ness, noun
prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·prag·mat·ic, adjective
an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·prag·mat·ic, adjective, noun
non·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
non·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·prag·mat·ic, adjective
un·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
un·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pragmatic in a sentence

He never made foolish remarks, although not in the slightest degree uncomfortably precocious or pragmatical.
Successful Exploration Through the Interior of Australia | William John Wills
The historians of the Renaissance period simply reverted to the ancient pragmatical view.
Evolution in Modern Thought | Ernst Haeckel
We need do no more than mention the world-famous stories of the unfortunate Hunchback and the pragmatical but charitable Barber.
The Life of Sir Richard Burton | Thomas Wright
Moreover the traditions of pragmatical historiography had by no means disappeared.
Evolution in Modern Thought | Ernst Haeckel
But the pragmatical daughter, by the fatal meeting, precipitated all, and frustrated her indulgent designs.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) | Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for pragmatic

pragmatic

/ (præɡˈmætɪk) /

adjective

advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
philosophy of or relating to pragmatism

involving everyday or practical business
of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community
rare interfering or meddlesome; officious

Origin of pragmatic

C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do

Also (for senses 3, 5): pragmatical

Derived forms of pragmatic

pragmaticality, noun
pragmatically, adverb

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

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