practically

adverb

prac·​ti·​cal·​ly ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

1

: in a practical manner

look practically at the problem

2

: almost, nearly

practically everyone

Synonyms

• about
• all but
• almost
• borderline
• fair [chiefly British]
• fairly
• feckly [chiefly Scottish]
• more or less
• most
• much
• near
• nearly
• next to
• nigh
• somewhere
• virtually
• well-nigh

Examples of practically in a Sentence

The room's ceiling was so low that we practically had to crawl.

I talk to him practically everyday.

The project is practically complete.

Football is practically a religion in some places.

Practically speaking, Alaska is too far to go for just a few days.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the postgame locker room, Butler’s personal music was so loud, microphones practically had to be shoved down Kyle Lowry’s tonsils on a night Lowry scored 28. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025

That Great Suck-Upping Sound Some media moguls have practically given themselves hernias genuflecting to Donald Trump. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Feb. 2025

To succeed, practically any organization needs accountability, teamwork, smart decision-making and, yes, an occasional stroke of luck. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

This could lead to silly disputes about practically anything. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

practically

adverb

prac·​ti·​cal·​ly ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

1

: in a practical manner

talked practically about the problem

2

: almost, nearly

practically everyone went to the game