English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb A1 Beginner Uncommon

practise

PRAK-tihs

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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.”

verb

1

To repeat an activity regularly in order to improve at it.

"She practises the violin for an hour every evening."

"You need to practise your presentation before the meeting."

"We practise our French together every Saturday morning before the market opens."

2

To work actively in a profession such as medicine or law.

"He has practised law in London for over a decade."

"She trained for years before she began to practise as a doctor in her home town."

"Lawyers who practise without a valid licence can be banned from the profession."

How to use practise

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo repeat something to get better at it, or to actively work in a profession.

UK vs US

British spelling of the verb; American English uses "practice" for both noun and verb.

Easily confused with

practice →

Common pairings

practise law practise medicine practise a skill

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: practises
Past tense: practised

Test yourself on “practise” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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".

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

do practice exercise drill rehearse

Related words

do work use come give end act cause

Rhymes for practise

rise wise vise Lise arise noise raise anise guise poise Elise Boise

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.

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