impractical

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​cal (ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-kəl 

: not practical: such as

a

: not wise to put into or keep in practice or effect

Small cars are impractical for large families.

b

: incapable of dealing sensibly or prudently with practical matters

a dreamy and impractical young man

c

: impracticable

an impractical plan

d

: not having a realistic or practical basis : idealistic

an impractical pipe dream

impracticality

(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

impractically

(ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of impractical

• useless
• unsuitable
• unusable

Examples of impractical in a Sentence

Little sports cars are impractical for large families.

He was a dreamy and impractical young man.

Recent Examples on the Web

Full-size professional tools deliver performance but are bulky and impractical to carry, while compact EDC tools are easy to pocket yet frequently lack real capability. —New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026

Palestinians have long called for mobile homes and caravans to be allowed in to protect them against living in impractical and worn-out tents. —Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

If this is impractical for you, try keeping your phone in a drawer early in the morning and after work. —Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026

Stylish yet impractical features are also declining in popularity. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impractical

• syntactical
• unpractical
• practical
• tactical

Kids Definition

impractical

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​cal (ˈ)im-ˈprak-ti-kəl 

: not practical: as

a

: not wise to put into or keep in practice or effect

an impractical rule disliked by many

b

: incapable of dealing sensibly with practical matters

c

: impracticable

the new gadgets were complicated and impractical

impracticality

(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-ˈkal-ət-ē 

noun

impractically

(ˈ)im-ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb