Word
practicality
Phoneticsprac·ti·cal·i·ty, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹæktɪˈkæɫəti/
UK/pɹˈæktɪkˈælɪti/
Definition
n. the quality of being useful or realistic for a specific purpose. You use this when you want to know if something will actually work in real life.
n. the quality of being suitable for a particular purpose or situation; the state of being realistic and useful. Often used to describe the effectiveness of a plan or the usefulness of an object.
Examples
“The practicality of the new tool makes it very popular.”
“While the design is beautiful, the practicality of the chair is questionable because it is too hard to sit on for long periods.”
“Engineers must balance the aesthetic appeal of the bridge with the practicality of its construction, ensuring that the structure can withstand extreme weather conditions without requiring constant maintenance.”
Examples
simple
“The practicality of the new tool makes it very popular.”
contextual
“While the design is beautiful, the practicality of the chair is questionable because it is too hard to sit on for long periods.”
complex
“Engineers must balance the aesthetic appeal of the bridge with the practicality of its construction, ensuring that the structure can withstand extreme weather conditions without requiring constant maintenance.”
Real-World Examples
“The prisons minister Catherine McKinnell is to look into the practicalities of converting female spaces to male over the coming months, after warnings from governors and experts that it would pose significant challenges.” “In another statement after the vote, three Labour MPs who voted against the plan, Ashley Dalton, Meg Hillier and Jess Asato, insisted their decision was purely based on practicalities.” Etymology
From practical + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/practicality