practically
gb/pɹˈæktɪkəli/ us/pɹˈæktɪkəli/
B1
English
~ 1000
szinte, gyakorlatilag, majdnem, gyakorlatiasan, reálisan
B1
1
Usage pattern:
practically [adjective/adverb/verb phrase]
The store was practically empty by the time we arrived.
Mire megérkeztünk, a bolt szinte teljesen üres volt.
She’s practically finished with her project.
Már szinte végzett a projektjével.
It’s practically impossible to park here on weekends.
They’re practically neighbors, living just two houses apart.
Learner examples
The room is practically empty.
A szoba szinte üres.
He is practically ready to go.
Már szinte indulásra kész.
It is practically dark outside.
She is practically done with her homework.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'practically' with 'practice' or 'practical', which have different meanings.
Meaning
Almost, but not entirely
Collocations
practically impossible
|practically empty
|practically finished
|practically speaking
Synonyms
almost (Most common equivalent; interchangeable in most contexts.)
|
virtually (Slightly more formal; often used in written English.)
Antonyms
completely (Opposite in meaning, indicating totality rather than near-totality.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when something is very close to being true or finished, but not 100%.
Used to indicate that something is almost true or almost the case, but not completely.
B2
2
reálisan
B2
Usage pattern:
think/act/practically
We need to think practically about how to solve this issue.
Gyakorlatiasan kell gondolkodnunk arról, hogyan oldjuk meg ezt a problémát.
She approached the problem practically, focusing on the available resources.
Gyakorlatiasan közelítette meg a problémát, a rendelkezésre álló erőforrásokra összpontosítva.
Practically speaking, we can’t afford a new car right now.
Learner examples
We must think practically about the plan.
Gyakorlatiasan kell gondolkodnunk a tervről.
He solved the problem practically.
Gyakorlatiasan oldotta meg a problémát.
Practically speaking, we should wait until next week.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this sense with 'almost', but here it means 'in a sensible way'. Context usually clarifies the difference.
Meaning
In a realistic, sensible manner
Collocations
think practically
|approach practically
|deal with practically
Synonyms
realistically (Focuses on being true to real conditions or facts.)
|
sensibly (Focuses on using good judgment and logic.)
Antonyms
unrealistically (Opposite in meaning, indicating ideas or actions not based on reality.)
Themes
problem solving
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that is about real situations and what works best.
In a way that is concerned with what is actually possible or useful in real life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
practically
IPA
GB/pɹˈæktɪkəli/
US/pɹˈæktɪkəli/
Syllables & stress
prac - tic - ally (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (prac)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: practically
- Plural: practicallies
Word family
Forms
practicallies
noun
Related words
practicality
noun B2
practitioner
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
impractical
adjective B2
impractically
adverb
Advanced or less common
practicable
adjective C1
Expressions
practically speaking
1/pɹˈæktɪkəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Considering things realistically
Used before saying what is true in real life situations, even if it is different from theory.
Examples
- Practically speaking, we don't have enough time to finish today.
- Practically speaking, that plan will cost too much.