practise
Also spelled practice (US spelling)
Practise (verb) means to repeat an activity regularly in order to improve at it. Example: “She practises the violin for an hour every evening.”
How to use practise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo repeat something to get better at it, or to actively work in a profession.
British spelling of the verb; American English uses "practice" for both noun and verb.
Word forms
practised past tense, practises singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the violin for an hour every evening.
Etymology
From Middle French pratiser, ultimately from Ancient Greek praktikos, "practical" — the British verb spelling with -ise, kept distinct from the noun "practice".
Related words
Rhymes for practise
See all rhymes for practise →Frequently asked questions
What does “practise” mean?
The word “practise” means to repeat an activity regularly in order to improve at it. In plain terms, to repeat something to get better at it, or to actively work in a profession.
How do you pronounce “practise”?
“Practise” is pronounced PRAK-tihs (/ˈpɹæktɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “practise” in a sentence?
Here is “practise” used in a sentence: “She practises the violin for an hour every evening.”
What part of speech is “practise”?
“Practise” is a verb.
Where does the word “practise” come from?
The word “practise” comes from Ancient Greek. From Middle French pratiser, ultimately from Ancient Greek praktikos, "practical" — the British verb spelling with -ise, kept distinct from the noun "practice".
Is “practise” a common word?
“Practise” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “practise” have?
“Practise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to repeat an activity regularly in order to improve at it.