practise
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
-
to do or cause to do repeatedly in order to gain skill
-
(tr) to do (something) habitually or frequently
they practise ritual murder
-
to observe or pursue (something, such as a religion)
to practise Christianity
-
to work at (a profession, job, etc)
he practises medicine
-
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:
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
The annual "Han Kuang" exercise, which runs from August 5-14, stages combat scenarios for troops and reservists to practise responding to an attack on the island, defence officials say.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
Williams was due to practise at the All England Club at 16:00 but announced her decision to pull out about 15 minutes before.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
In the meantime, the young men and women were to practise their songs and get their best clothes ready for the occasion.
From "The Girl Who Married a Lion: and Other Tales from Africa" by Alexander Mccall Smith
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
"I was a little nervous. I've never hit a ball with her, never practised, never played a match, so I didn't know what to expect," the 12th seed said.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
But, having played two doubles matches and practised intensely at Wimbledon over the past few days, Williams believes she is sharp and solid enough to return at the place where she won seven singles titles.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
Hal’s theory, which he practised on others, was that one must get hardened.
From "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London
He remains suspended from practising law in the UK, after the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban while it conducts its own inquiry.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
It also imposed a lifetime ban on him practising medicine.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
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
“As long as I keep on practising with you,” I said, laughing, “I don’t stand a ghost of a chance.”
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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.
