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adj Common

practicing

Practicing (adj) means Actively working in a profession or actively following the customs of a religion. Example: “She is a practicing lawyer in Chicago.”

adj
1
Actively working in a profession or actively following the customs of a religion.
"She is a practicing lawyer in Chicago."
"He was raised in a practicing Catholic household."

How to use practicing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishActively engaged in a profession, religion, or skill on an ongoing basis.

UK vs US

American spelling; British English uses "practising".

Common pairings
practicing doctor practicing Christian

Word forms

practicings plural

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She is a _____ lawyer in Chicago.

Related words

Rhymes for practicing

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Frequently asked questions

What does “practicing” mean?

The word “practicing” means actively working in a profession or actively following the customs of a religion. In plain terms, actively engaged in a profession, religion, or skill on an ongoing basis.

How do you use “practicing” in a sentence?

Here is “practicing” used in a sentence: “She is a practicing lawyer in Chicago.”

What part of speech is “practicing”?

“Practicing” is an adjective.

Is “practicing” a common word?

“Practicing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Which spelling is correct, practicing or practising?

In American English, "practicing" is the standard spelling. In British English the verb is spelled "practise," so the -ing form is written "practising," while "practice" with a c is reserved for the noun. Both spellings are correct within their own variety of English.

What is the difference between a practicing and a non-practicing lawyer or doctor?

A practicing lawyer or doctor is actively working in the profession and seeing clients or patients. A non-practicing one holds the qualification but is not currently working in the field — for example, someone who has moved into teaching, management, or retirement.

What is the opposite of practicing?

The usual opposite is "non-practicing," which works for both professions and religions. For religion specifically, "lapsed" is a common alternative, as in "a lapsed Catholic" — someone who no longer follows the customs of the faith.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial