practical
practical Lexical Profile
practical Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
"The internship provides students with valuable practical experience in a clinical setting."
Likely to succeed or be effective in real circumstances; sensible, realistic, and suited to a particular purpose.
"Wearing waterproof boots was a practical choice for hiking through the muddy valley."
Skilled at manual tasks and effective at solving everyday problems in a matter-of-fact way.
"My grandfather was a remarkably practical man who could repair almost any household appliance."
So close to being the case that it has the same effect; virtual or effective.
"After the main bridge collapsed, the remote village was left in a state of practical isolation."
• noun
An examination or lesson in which a student is required to demonstrate hands-on skills or perform a task rather than write answers.
"All first-year biology students must pass both a written exam and a laboratory practical."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'practical' with 'practicable': 'practical' means useful, sensible, or related to real-world practice, whereas 'practicable' means capable of being put into practice or successfully carried out (feasible).
• Rhymes for practical
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in late Middle English from the archaic adjective 'practic' plus the suffix '-al', via Old French 'pratique' and Late Latin 'practicus', from Ancient Greek 'praktikos' (fit for action), derived from 'prassein' (to do or act).