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

There’s practically nothing that his Catholic foes, still smarting at the Church of England’s rejection of papal authority, won’t believe about the man who helped engineer the schism so that Henry (Damian Lewis) could divorce his first wife as part of his ongoing quest to beget a male heir. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025

Dong Ting Noodle Find chili in practically every dish at Dong Ting Noodle, but diners still add the delectable house chili paste offered at every table. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Since the death of Tom Petty meant an end to his primary job in 2017, Tench has still been visible in the background as a member of the house band in practically any tribute show that’s worth a damn. —Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025

Starting as a way to make extra money, Price didn’t think of growing Carol’s Daughter into hair care—but her customers practically begged her to. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 26 Mar. 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