First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1practical
adjective prac·ti·cal \ˈprak-ti-kəl\
: relating to what is real rather than to what is possible or imagined
: likely to succeed and reasonable to do or use
: appropriate or suited for actual use
Full Definition of PRACTICAL
1
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
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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
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
Rhymes with PRACTICAL
2practical
noun
: an examination in which students have to do or make something to show what they have learned
Full Definition of PRACTICAL
: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill <a zoology practical>
See practical defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PRACTICAL
1925
PRACTICAL Defined for Kids
practical
adjective prac·ti·cal \ˈprak-ti-kəl\
Definition of PRACTICAL for Kids
1
: of or relating to real action rather than ideas or thought <practical matters>
2
: capable of being put to use : reasonable to do or use <practical advice> <Those shoes are nice, but these are more practical.>
3
: tending to act according to reason and logic <Beezus, always practical, changed her mind. “It wouldn't work.” — Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby> <a practical person>
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