What does "practical" mean?
A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability
Practical
/ˈpɹæktɪkəl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability
- Grammar: practical is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: pragmatic, academic worldliness, achievable, actable.
- Useful contrasts: impractical, theoretical, abstract.
- Usage evidence: It's practical to have a laptop.
How to use "practical"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "practical" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "practical" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "practical" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "practical" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "practical" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "pragmatic" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "practical", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability British
- 2 A prop that has some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation.
"Practicals are used onstage as they would be used in real life. If the sound cue is to be from a radio or television, give qualities to the recording that will maintain the sense of the medium."
- 3 A light fixture used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
"A naturalistic set is normally dressed with all the furnishings and props to be found in a real room. This includes electric light fittings which, when they actually light, are known as practicals."
- 4 Laboratory experiment, test or investigation
Adjective
- 1 Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis.
"Jack didn't get an engineering degree, but has practical knowledge of metalworking."
- 2 Being likely to be effective and applicable to a real situation; able to be put to use.
"Jack's knowledge has the practical benefit of giving us useful prototype parts."
- 3 Of a person, having skills or knowledge that are practical.
"All in all, Jack's a very practical chap."
- 4 Of a prop: having some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation. not-comparable
- 5 Light fixtures used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
"Practical lighting can help sell the illusion that the film is a real situation."
Adjective
- 1 having or put to a practical purpose or use wordnet
- 2 concerned with actual use or practice wordnet
- 3 guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory wordnet
- 4 being actually such in almost every respect wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It's practical to have a laptop."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "practical"?
Common synonyms include: pragmatic, academic worldliness, achievable, actable, action, action-driven.
How do you use "practical" in a sentence?
It's practical to have a laptop.
How do you pronounce "practical"?
Pronounced /ˈpɹæktɪkəl/.
Etymology
From Middle English practical, practicale, praktycall, from Medieval Latin practicālis.