impractical
ihm-PRAK-tih-kuhl
Impractical (adj) means not sensible or realistic to do; unworkable in practice. Example: “Building a swimming pool in the tiny back garden was completely impractical.”
adj
1
Not sensible or realistic to do; unworkable in practice.
"Building a swimming pool in the tiny back garden was completely impractical."
"His plan sounded clever but was impractical once you looked at the budget."
How to use impractical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that sounds fine in theory but wouldn't actually work well in real life.
Common mistake
Impractical means "not sensible or convenient"; impracticable means "impossible to carry out at all." Most everyday uses call for impractical.
Easily confused with
impracticable
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more impractical
- Superlative
- most impractical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Building a swimming pool in the tiny back garden was completely _____.
Etymology
From im- ("not") + practical.
Related words
Rhymes for impractical
See all rhymes for impractical →Frequently asked questions
What does “impractical” mean?
The word “impractical” means not sensible or realistic to do; unworkable in practice. In plain terms, something that sounds fine in theory but wouldn't actually work well in real life.
How do you pronounce “impractical”?
“Impractical” is pronounced ihm-PRAK-tih-kuhl (/ɪmˈpɹæktɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “impractical” in a sentence?
Here is “impractical” used in a sentence: “Building a swimming pool in the tiny back garden was completely impractical.”
What part of speech is “impractical”?
“Impractical” is an adjective.
Is “impractical” a common word?
“Impractical” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
