practical
gb/pɹˈæktɪkəl/ us/pɹˈæktɪkəl/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Useful and effective in reality
Good for real life and can be used easily.
Usage pattern:
[something] is practical
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'practical' with 'practice'. 'Practical' is an adjective, while 'practice' is a noun or verb.
Synonyms
useful (More general; 'practical' often emphasizes real-world suitability.)
Antonyms
impractical (Describes something not suitable or possible for real-world use.)
Collocations
practical solution
|practical advice
|practical application
|practical skills
|practical example
Themes
daily life
|problem solving
|daily_life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This bag is practical for everyday use.
- We need a practical plan to finish the project on time.
- The course teaches practical skills for the workplace.
- It's a practical solution to a common problem.
- Her advice was very practical and easy to follow.
Learner examples
- This chair is practical for small rooms.
- He gave me practical help with my homework.
- I need a practical way to carry my books.
- The phone is cheap and practical.
- She found a practical way to fix the door.
adjective
B1
property
2
Focused on doing, not theory
Thinking about what can be done, not just ideas.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is practical about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'practical' with 'possible'. Something can be possible but not necessarily practical.
Synonyms
realistic ('Realistic' can also mean accepting limitations, while 'practical' emphasizes action.)
Antonyms
idealistic (Focusing on ideals rather than what is possible in practice.)
Collocations
practical approach
|practical thinking
|practical person
|practical considerations
Themes
thinking
|decision making
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She's a very practical person who always finds a way to get things done.
- We need to take a more practical approach to the problem.
- His practical mindset helped the team succeed.
- Being practical, he suggested we start with a small trial.
- They discussed the practical aspects of moving abroad.
Learner examples
- She is practical about money.
- He takes a practical view of life.
- We should be practical and choose the cheaper plan.
- My father is very practical and fixes things himself.
- It is practical to start early in the morning.
adjective
B1
property
3
Involving direct practice or experience
About learning by doing something, not just reading or listening.
Usage pattern:
[something] is practical work / training / exercise
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'practical' here means 'easy', but it means hands-on or applied.
Synonyms
applied ('Applied' is often used in academic contexts; 'practical' is more general.)
Antonyms
theoretical (Based on ideas rather than direct experience.)
Collocations
practical test
|practical exam
|practical training
|practical workshop
Themes
education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The driving test includes both a written and a practical exam.
- Students get practical experience during their internships.
- This workshop offers practical training in first aid.
- The course combines theory with practical exercises.
- Practical work is essential for learning these skills.
Learner examples
- I passed the practical test for driving.
- We had a practical lesson in the kitchen.
- The school gives students practical work experience.
- He learned cooking through practical training.
- We did a practical exercise in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
practical
IPA
GB/pɹˈæktɪkəl/
US/pɹˈæktɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
prac - tic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (prac)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: practical
Word family
Core family
practice
noun A2
practically
adverb B1
Related words
practicality
noun B2
practise
verb A2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
practicable
adjective C1
practitioner
noun B2
Expressions
for all practical purposes
1/fɚ ˈɔl pɹˈæktɪkəl pˈɚpəsɪz/
idiom
Effectively or almost completely true
Almost completely true or the same as something else in most situations.
Examples
- For all practical purposes, the project is finished.
- The two systems are, for all practical purposes, identical.
for all practical purposes
1/fɚ ˈɔl pɹˈæktɪkəl pˈɚpəsɪz/
idiom
effectively; almost completely
almost the same as; effectively
Examples
- For all practical purposes, the two phones are identical.
- Once the files are encrypted, they are for all practical purposes unreadable.
- The road is open, but for all practical purposes you can’t drive on it because of the flooding.
practical joke
1/pɹˈæktɪkəl d͡ʒˈoʊk/
fixed phrase
Trick to amuse or embarrass someone slightly
A trick done to make someone surprised or embarrassed as a joke.
Examples
- He played a practical joke on his friend by hiding his phone.
- April Fools’ Day is full of practical jokes.
in practice
1/ˈɪn pɹˈæktɪs/
fixed phrase
in reality when applied
What really happens when you do something, not just the idea of it.
Examples
- The plan looks good on paper, but in practice it may be hard to follow.
- The plan looks good on paper, but in practice it may be hard to achieve.
- In practice, the new rules are difficult to enforce.