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

b

: incapable of dealing sensibly or prudently with practical matters

c

: impracticable

d

: idealistic

impracticality

(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

impractically

(ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• impracticable
• inoperable
• nonpractical
• unserviceable
• unusable
• unworkable
• useless

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

Yet these technologies mostly proved impractical for broader application. —Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025

Many Spanish businesses anticipate a slowdown in August and plan accordingly, whereas in the U.S., businesses remain open year-round, making extended closures impractical. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025

However, there are too many impractical design details. —Adrienne So, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025

The developer said that would be impractical for a number of reasons, such as crossing the railroad tracks and Loma Alta Creek, and the need to acquire additional private property. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

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