Impractical: meaning, definitions and examples

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impractical

[ɪmˈpræktɪkəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

not sensible

Not sensible or realistic; incapable of being carried out effectively.

Synonyms

impracticable, unrealistic, unworkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impractical	Used when describing something that is not convenient or practical to use or implement in real life. Often refers to ideas, methods, or designs that are difficult to put into practice due to lack of feasibility or practicality. His plan to travel to work by helicopter was considered impractical. The impractical shoes were beautiful but not suitable for hiking.
unrealistic	Used to describe something that is not sensible or reasonable; it may refer to plans, expectations, or dreams that are unlikely to happen in reality. Often has a negative connotation. Setting such high sales targets is unrealistic for a small business. Expecting everyone to agree unanimously was an unrealistic hope.
impracticable	Used when referring to something that cannot be done or achieved, typically due to physical or logistical obstacles. It emphasizes the impossibility of implementation. Building a bridge across the canyon was impracticable due to the harsh terrain. The proposed method was rendered impracticable by the lack of necessary equipment.
unworkable	Used when something cannot function properly or be executed effectively. This word often refers to plans, strategies, or systems that break down under practical conditions. The new scheduling system was found to be unworkable and had to be abandoned. Her plan to handle four projects simultaneously proved unworkable.

Examples of usage

It's impractical to expect everyone to work late every day.
Buying a yacht is impractical for most people.
She had many impractical ideas that were not feasible.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

not functional

Not capable of being used for a particular purpose; not functional.

Synonyms

ineffective, nonfunctional, useless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impractical	Used when something is not sensible or realistic in practical situations. Building a house on a mountain peak is impractical It's impractical to carry an umbrella when it's windy
nonfunctional	Used when something is not working or operating as it should. The coffee machine in the office is nonfunctional The car's air conditioner became nonfunctional after the accident
useless	Used when something has no use or value, often carries a negative connotation. This broken pen is useless Trying to fix that old computer is useless; it's beyond repair
ineffective	Used when something does not produce the desired effect or outcome. The new marketing strategy was ineffective This medicine is ineffective against the new strain of the virus

Examples of usage

The design was beautiful but ultimately impractical.
Her choice of shoes was stylish but impractical for hiking.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'impracticus,' which means 'not to be practiced.'
It combines the prefix 'im-' meaning 'not' with 'practical,' which relates to useful actions.
The term started being widely used in English around the 1800s.

Psychology

People often prefer practical solutions that they can easily implement in everyday life.
Impractical ideas are sometimes linked to creativity, as they may come from thinking outside of conventional boundaries.
Decision-making studies show that emotion can lead individuals to favor impractical options over practical ones when under stress.

Business

In business scenarios, impractical plans might look visionary but can often fail due to lack of feasibility.
Startups may propose impractical business models during pitches that sound exciting but lack real-world application.
Companies regularly assess the practicality of ideas to ensure they align with market needs and operational capabilities.

Literature

Many characters in fiction are described as impractical, which adds to their charm or folly.
Classic literature often contrasts practical and impractical characters to highlight thematic elements of reality versus idealism.
Writers use the concept of impracticality to critique social norms and provoke thought among readers.

Pop Culture

In films and television, protagonists with impractical dreams embark on journeys that create both comedy and drama.
Social media trends occasionally highlight impractical life hacks that are entertaining but not functional in practice.
Comedic portrayals of impractical people often serve to reflect society's absurdities and challenge the status quo.

Translations

Translations of the word "impractical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impraticável

🇮🇳 अव्यावहारिक

🇩🇪 unpraktisch

🇮🇩 tidak praktis

🇺🇦 непрактичний

🇵🇱 niepraktyczny

🇯🇵 非現実的 (ひげんじつてき)

🇫🇷 impraticable

🇪🇸 impracticable

🇹🇷 pratik olmayan

🇰🇷 비실용적인

🇸🇦 غير عملي

🇨🇿 nepraktický

🇸🇰 nepraktický

🇨🇳 不切实际 (bù qiè shí jì)

🇸🇮 nepraktičen

🇮🇸 ópraktískur

🇰🇿 практикалық емес

🇬🇪 არაპრაქტიკული

🇦🇿 praktik deyil

🇲🇽 impracticable

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,184, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
12181 modular
12182 opt
12183 envisioned
12184 impractical
12185 crucible
12186 milieu
12187 cemented
...