adj
practical
PRAK-tih-kuhl
adj
1
Concerned with actual practice and results rather than theory.
"The course focuses on practical skills like budgeting and negotiation."
"His advice was practical, not just theoretical."
2
Likely to work well in a real situation; sensible and useful.
"Buying a smaller car was the practical choice for city driving."
How to Use Practical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFocused on what actually works in real life, rather than on ideas or theory.
Easily confused with
practicable
Common pairings
practical advice
practical solution
practical skills
Word Forms
more practical comparative, practicals plural, most practical superlative
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The course focuses on _____ skills like budgeting and negotiation.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin practicalis, ultimately from Greek praktikos, "fit for action" — related to "practice".