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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

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>

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

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

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

: 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

See practical defined for English-language learners

See practical defined for kids

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

Rhymes with PRACTICAL

tactical

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

PRACTICALITY Defined for Kids

practical

adjective prac·ti·cal \ˈprak-ti-kəl\

Definition of PRACTICAL for Kids

: of or relating to real action rather than ideas or thought <practical matters>

: capable of being put to use : reasonable to do or use <practical advice> <Those shoes are nice, but these are more practical.>

: 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>