practical

1 of 2

adjective

prac·​ti·​cal ˈprak-ti-kəl 

1

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

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

practicality

ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

practicalness

ˈprak-ti-kəl-nəs 

noun

practical

2 of 2

noun

: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill

a zoology practical

Synonyms

Adjective

• actionable
• applicable
• applicative
• applied
• functional
• practicable
• serviceable
• ultrapractical
• usable
• useable
• useful
• workable
• working

Examples of practical in a Sentence

Adjective

We can speculate about the future, but on a more practical level, we have to admit that we simply don't know what will happen.

An engineer will address the design's practical problems.

She has a lot of practical experience in dealing with these kinds of problems.

practical solutions to complicated problems

He thinks wind can be a practical source of renewable energy.

The machine is too big to be practical for most private homes.

The shoes are nice, but they're not very practical.

The book is a practical guide to car care.

He gave me some practical advice on finding a job.

Noun

We have our zoology practicals next week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Take this time to prepare for future energy needs with practical savings. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Over the decades, tote bags have evolved from practical workhorses into cultural currency, adapting to reflect the shifting identities of their carriers. —Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

For most, the practical trumped the philosophical on a question of public health. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2021

All three of these agencies have worked to give students the flexibility to work online and, as Friday, NACCAS, in coordination with the Department of Education, announced the lifting of the restriction to teach practicals hands-on. —Christopher Roth, azcentral, 23 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing practical

• for (all) practical purposes
• licensed practical nurse
• practical art
• practical joke
• practical nurse
• practical theology

Kids Definition

practical

adjective

prac·​ti·​cal

ˈprak-ti-kəl

1

: of or relating to action and practice rather than ideas or thought

for practical purposes

2

: being such in practice or effect : virtual

a practical failure

3

: capable of being put to use or account : useful

a practical knowledge of farming

4

: good at putting ideas or plans into action

a practical mind

practicality

ˌprak-ti-ˈkal-ət-ē

noun