Word
Definition
n. a way of thinking that focuses on what works in real life rather than on what is theoretically perfect. You use this when you choose a solution because it is practical, even if it is not the most beautiful or fair one.
n. a philosophical approach that emphasizes practical consequences and effectiveness over abstract principles or theories. In political contexts, it refers to a policy based on expediency and the immediate needs of the situation.
Examples
“The politician's pragmatism helped her win the election.”
“In a time of economic crisis, the government's pragmatism led them to cut social programs rather than raise taxes.”
“While the philosopher argued for a strict adherence to moral law, the statesman's pragmatism dictated that a temporary compromise was necessary to preserve national stability.”
Examples
simple
“The politician's pragmatism helped her win the election.”
contextual
“In a time of economic crisis, the government's pragmatism led them to cut social programs rather than raise taxes.”
complex
“While the philosopher argued for a strict adherence to moral law, the statesman's pragmatism dictated that a temporary compromise was necessary to preserve national stability.”
Real-World Examples
“At this point, continuing to expand fossil fuel production isn’t pragmatism, it’s a failure to face reality.”
Climate activists from Greenpeace and Uplift protest against new drilling in the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields.” “Throughout all three of her interwoven timelines, Obreht raises similarly searching questions about courage and cowardice, idealism and pragmatism, and most of all about how history is recounted and who gets to own it.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek stem of πρᾶγμα (prâgma, “act”) + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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/pragmatism
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0