English Reference

Word

practical

Phoneticsprac·ti·cal, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈpɹæktəkəɫ/

UK/pɹˈæktɪkəl/

Definitions

01useful and realistic

B1 · Intermediate

adj. useful and sensible for real-life situations rather than just ideas.

adj. relating to or based on action and experience rather than theory; likely to be effective when applied to real-world scenarios.

“We need a practical solution to the traffic problem, not just a beautiful map.”

“While the proposal was intellectually stimulating, the board rejected it in favour of a more practical approach that addressed immediate budget constraints.”

02skilled with hands

B1 · Intermediate

adj. good at making or fixing things with your hands.

adj. possessing manual dexterity or the ability to solve physical problems effectively.

“My brother is very practical and fixed the broken sink in ten minutes.”

“The vocational course is designed for practical students who prefer workshop environments to traditional classroom lectures.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03functional prop or light

C1 · Advanced Theater Technical

adj. a prop or light on a film set that actually works like a real one.

adj. referring to a prop or light fixture that is functional and appears within the frame as part of the scenery.

“The director wanted a practical lamp on the desk so the actor could turn it on.”

“The cinematographer insisted on using practical lights within the scene to create a more authentic atmosphere for the night shoot.”

Antonyms

04hands-on exam

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science British English

n. a lesson or exam where you have to do something physical, like a science experiment.

n. an examination or lesson in which students demonstrate their skills by performing tasks rather than writing about them.

“We have our chemistry practical tomorrow, so I need to remember the safety rules.”

“The final grade for the biology module is determined by a written paper and a three-hour laboratory practical.”

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “practical” in context.

Adjective

01. highly practical

“The course offers highly practical advice for starting a small business.”

adv + adj

02. practical support

03. practical terms

04. practical guidance

05. practical steps

06. practical use

07. appreciation practical

08. arise practical

09. conjunction practical

10. expenditure practical

11. for all practical purposes

“For all practical purposes, the project is now finished.”

12. from a practical viewpoint

“From a practical viewpoint, the plan is simply too expensive to work.”

Confusables

practical vs practicable

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.

Etymology

From Middle English practical, practicale, praktycall, from Medieval Latin practicālis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

practical(B1)

Related words

Domains

FilmTheater

This entry

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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/practical

English Reference