pragmatic

adjective

prag·​mat·​ic prag-ˈma-tik 

variants or less commonly pragmatical

prag-ˈma-ti-kəl 

1

: relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic

a pragmatic leader

a pragmatic [=practical] approach to health care

2

: relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism

3

archaic

a(1)

: busy

(2)

: officious

b

: opinionated

pragmatic noun

pragmatically

prag-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Are you pragmatic?

The word pragmatic has been busy over its more than four centuries of use. Its earliest meanings were "busy," "meddlesome," and "opinionated," but those are now considered archaic uses. The word continues, as it has since the late 19th century, to be used in reference to the philosophical movement of pragmatism (see sense 2). And, as Merriam-Webster Unabridged reports, it also continues to be used in the field of history to describe that which deals with historical events in a way that shows their interconnection. Most often, however, we encounter pragmatic when it is being used to describe people—sometimes ourselves.

So what does it mean for a person to be pragmatic? A person who is pragmatic is concerned more with matters of fact than with what could or should be. A pragmatic person's realm is results and consequences. If that's where your focus is, you may want to apply the word to yourself.

Synonyms

• down-to-earth
• earthy
• hardheaded
• matter-of-fact
• practical
• realistic

Examples of pragmatic in a Sentence

In their universe, romance is totally detached from pragmatic concerns and societal pressures … —Lev Grossman, Time, 24 Jan. 2005

… their pragmatic successors like Benjamin Franklin were concerned with lightning's … power but not its thrilling scenic value. —John Updike, New York Review of Books, 15 Aug. 2002

… pragmatic enough to have held on to their day jobs for years after they were putting out records. —Chris Mundy, Rolling Stone, 16 Sept. 1993

… and her mysticism never failed to exasperate her pragmatic, mountain-climbing daughter. —Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses, 1989

His pragmatic view of public education comes from years of working in city schools.

a pragmatic man, not given to grand, visionary schemes

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts and residents of Idlib describe their governance as pragmatic and influenced by both internal and external pressure, with efforts to distance themselves from a jihadist past and gain international acceptance. —Mostafa Salem, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Under Frank, Riemer believes Brentford evolved from a dominant, possession-heavy Championship team to a more pragmatic one in the Premier League before becoming a more expansive outfit again following Toney’s sale to Al Ahli in the summer. —Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024

In the end, Sam’s accomplishments are straightforward and pragmatic. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Critics of outgoing chair Greg Barclay, a pragmatic New Zealander, believed his role was merely reduced to conciliatory rather than agenda setting. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin pragmaticus skilled in law or business, from Greek pragmatikos, from pragmat-, pragma deed, from prassein to do — more at practical

First Known Use

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing pragmatic

• pragmatic sanction

Kids Definition

pragmatic

adjective

prag·​mat·​ic prag-ˈmat-ik 

variants also pragmatical

-i-kəl 

: concerned with practical rather than intellectual or artistic matters

pragmatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb