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Definitions

practical

[prak-ti-kuhl] / ˈpræk tɪ kəl /
ADJECTIVE
realistic, useful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
businesslike constructive down-to-earth efficient factual feasible functional possible practicable pragmatic rational reasonable sane sensible sober workable
WEAK
applied both feet on the ground commonsensical doable empirical experimental handy hard-boiled implicit in action in operation matter-of-fact nuts and bolts operative orderly serviceable solid sound systematic unidealistic unromantic usable utile utilitarian virtual workaday working
Antonyms
STRONGEST
excited impossible impractical inefficient irrational unattainable unfeasible unlikely unrealistic unreasonable unsound unworkable
WEAK
incapable inexperienced unproficient unseasoned unserviceable unskilled untrained useless worthless
ADJECTIVE
experienced, proficient
Synonyms
STRONGEST
effective efficient sophisticated
WEAK
accomplished cosmopolitan qualified seasoned skilled trained versed vet veteran working worldly worldly-wise
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotent ineffective weak
WEAK
impossible impractical incapable inefficient inexperienced unfeasible unproficient unrealistic unseasoned unserviceable unskilled untrained unworkable useless worthless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The idea was to give investors a practical shortcut because they often lack information to do the fair-value measurements themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

But the pair of young couples are treating this practical business transaction between customer and caterer as their double date, lingering too long and asking for more wine, joking that they’re not quite certain yet.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Reducing travel time would make the mission more practical and more sustainable.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

But if Harrison's strategy was scoping out the competition on the start line, Katie's was a lot more practical.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The first great, practical achievement of the new science was Newcomen’s steam engine of 1712—the very engine Swift was presumably mocking when he complained about mills being built where there were no rivers.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.