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:
Rehearsals have been running since the end of June to give Marinker extra time to practise, and a whole team assembled to make the play happen.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
And there is a platform on the front, where the young birds will exercise and practise flying before leaving the nest.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 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
Scaramouche and Wilfred thought I had a remote chance of getting to America, but they both urged me to get a job, preferably one that would allow me time to practise and play in tournaments.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
The film, Don't Look Back In Anger, shows that Columbia was the first song they practised during the reunion rehearsal.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
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 grandmother, who testified before both Minnesota's House and Senate, practised her statement over the phone to her daughters and in front of the mirror.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
“Yes, kitchen page, and I shall go tins minute. Good gracious, don’t look so tragic about it. Leave it to the practised scoundrel and run away to bed.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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
"Those days, if I'm practising or not, I'm trying to be chill and focus on the next round. So golf this year isn't an option."
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Other specific training aimed at modernising the Army – such as practising drone and counter-drone warfare is expected to continue.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 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
On one of the outside courts I found two of them practising: Stan Smith and Bob Lutz, the number- one doubles team in the world.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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