Word
practicable
Phoneticsprac·ti·ca·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹæktəkəbəɫ/
UK/pɹˈæktɪkəbəl/
Definition
adj. possible to do or achieve. You use this when a plan or a path is realistic and can actually work in real life.
adj. capable of being done, achieved, or put into practice. Often used to describe a course of action that is feasible given the available resources or circumstances.
Examples
“The plan is not practicable because we lack the money.”
“After reviewing the budget, the committee concluded that the new project was not practicable without significant government support.”
Examples
simple
“The plan is not practicable because we lack the money.”
contextual
“After reviewing the budget, the committee concluded that the new project was not practicable without significant government support.”
Confusables
Practical describes things that are useful or realistic in practice, while practicable describes a plan or method that is capable of being carried out.
RememberPractical = Useful. Practicable = Possible.
Real-World Examples
“HVO’s environmental impact statement didn’t even account for scope 3 emissions at all, and the high court has been crystal clear that consent authorities must ensure emissions are minimised to the greatest extent practicable.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin prācticābilis, partly modelled on Middle French praticable. By surface analysis, practice (verb) + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/practicable