Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
practical

prac·ti·cal

practical

 
 
pronunciation:
praek tih kl
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: of or relating to practice and experience as opposed to theory or abstraction.
Teachers can study educational theory, but learning how to teach requires practical experience in the classroom as well.
synonyms:
common-sense, down-to-earth, matter-of-fact, nuts-and-bolts, pragmatic, realistic, utilitarian
antonyms:
abstract, theoretical
similar words:
experienced, hard-nosed, hardheaded, sensible, straightforward
definition 2: useful in reality or capable of being put into use; workable.
Buying a racehorse didn't seem like a practical investment to the young man's parents.What is needed is a practical solution to the problem.
synonyms:
feasible, practicable, usable, useful, utilitarian, workable
antonyms:
abstract, impractical, unpractical, wild
similar words:
effective, efficient, functional, handy, serviceable, sound
definition 3: connected or concerned with the realities of everyday living or managing.
She was the creative mind behind the enterprise while her partner took care of more practical matters such as financing and bookkeeping.
synonyms:
commonplace, day-to-day, ordinary, usual, workaday
similar words:
customary, everyday, mundane, routine
definition 4: aware of and concerned about the mundane matters of living or getting through life.
He was a great thinker but not very practical--his secretary had to manage all his day-to-day affairs.Though she'd been fond of her uncle, she was a practical woman who immediately saw the benefit of the money she would be inheriting.
antonyms:
fanciful, impractical, unpractical
similar words:
effectual, efficient, pragmatic, productive, purposeful
definition 5: being such in nearly every respect.
The meeting of the negotiators was a practical fiasco.
synonyms:
virtual
similar words:
substantial
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: practicality (n.), practicalness (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  education, knowledge