prac·ti·cal
ˈprak-ti-kəl 
1
2
: actively engaged in some course of action or occupation
a practical farmer
3
: capable of being put to use or account : useful
he had a practical knowledge of French
4
a
: disposed to action as opposed to speculation or abstraction
b(1)
: qualified by practice or practical training
a good practical mechanic
(2)
: designed to supplement theoretical training by experience
5
: concerned with voluntary action and ethical decisions
practical reason
: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill
a zoology practical
Synonyms
Examples of practical in a Sentence
Adjective
We can speculate about the future, but on a more practical level, we have to admit that we simply don't know what will happen.
An engineer will address the design's practical problems.
She has a lot of practical experience in dealing with these kinds of problems.
practical solutions to complicated problems
He thinks wind can be a practical source of renewable energy.
The machine is too big to be practical for most private homes.
The shoes are nice, but they're not very practical.
The book is a practical guide to car care.
He gave me some practical advice on finding a job.
Noun
We have our zoology practicals next week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
From a practical perspective, Kantz notes that homeowners who live in warm climates year-round might consider going for lighter colors to avoid heat retention that could make the interior of a home warmer and result in higher cooling costs.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Susan Page, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2021
All three of these agencies have worked to give students the flexibility to work online and, as Friday, NACCAS, in coordination with the Department of Education, announced the lifting of the restriction to teach practicals hands-on.
—Christopher Roth, azcentral, 23 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for practical 
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Adjective
Here are some practical tips from her to help transform your company culture.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
From a practical perspective, Kantz notes that homeowners who live in warm climates year-round might consider going for lighter colors to avoid heat retention that could make the interior of a home warmer and result in higher cooling costs.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
For most, the practical trumped the philosophical on a question of public health.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2021
All three of these agencies have worked to give students the flexibility to work online and, as Friday, NACCAS, in coordination with the Department of Education, announced the lifting of the restriction to teach practicals hands-on.
—Christopher Roth, azcentral, 23 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for practical
Dictionary Entries Near practical
Cite this Entry
“Practical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
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