practical

¹prac·ti·cal

adjective \ˈprak-ti-kəl\

Definition of PRACTICAL

1

a : of, relating to, or manifested in practice or action : not theoretical or ideal <a practical question> <for all practical purposes>

b : being such in practice or effect : virtual <a practical failure>

2

: actively engaged in some course of action or occupation <a practical farmer>

3

: capable of being put to use or account : useful <he had a practical knowledge of French>

4

a : disposed to action as opposed to speculation or abstraction

b (1) : qualified by practice or practical training <a good practical mechanic> (2) : designed to supplement theoretical training by experience

5

: concerned with voluntary action and ethical decisions <practical reason>

— prac·ti·cal·i·ty \ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

— prac·ti·cal·ness \ˈprak-ti-kəl-nəs\ noun

Examples of PRACTICAL

1. We can speculate about the future, but on a more practical level, we have to admit that we simply don't know what will happen.
2. An engineer will address the design's practical problems.
3. She has a lot of practical experience in dealing with these kinds of problems.
4. The books suggests some practical ways to save money.
5. practical solutions to complicated problems
6. He thinks wind can be a practical source of renewable energy.
7. The machine is too big to be practical for most private homes.
8. The shoes are nice, but they're not very practical.
9. The book is a practical guide to car care.
10. He gave me some practical advice on finding a job.

Origin of PRACTICAL

Middle English, from Late Latin practicus, from Greek praktikos, from prassein to pass over, fare, do; akin to Greek peran to pass through — more at fare

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PRACTICAL

Synonyms

actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, functional, practicable, serviceable, ultrapractical, usable (also useable), useful, workable, working

Antonyms

impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless

Related Words

down-to-earth, pragmatic (also pragmatical), utilitarian; banausic, mundane; accessible, available, obtainable, reachable; all-around (also all-round), handy; active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, operating, operative

Near Antonyms

abstract, academic (also academical), armchair, theoretical (also theoretic); inaccessible, unattainable, unavailable, unobtainable, unreachable; unsuitable

Rhymes with PRACTICAL

tactical

²practical

noun

Definition of PRACTICAL

: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill <a zoology practical>

Examples of PRACTICAL

1. We have our zoology practicals next week.

First Known Use of PRACTICAL

1925