Practical: meaning, definitions and examples

Suitable for everyday use, practical things are useful and likely to be successful in real-life situations.

• She bought a practical car that can handle rough roads.
• His practical advice helped them solve the problem quickly.

Designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive. Functional often refers to the basic maintenance of tasks.

• The kitchen layout is functional for everyday cooking.
• The website is functional but could use a design update.

Accomplishing a task with the least waste of time and resources. Efficient methods save effort and time.

• They developed an efficient system for managing inventory.
• Her efficient use of time allowed her to complete the project early.

Achieving a desired result or purpose. Effective implies that the method or thing works as intended.

• The new remedy was very effective against the flu.
• Her effective presentation won over the audience.

Used when referring to a solution, idea, or person capable of handling real-world situations effectively and efficiently. It focuses on doing things rather than just thinking or talking about them.

• She offered a practical solution to the problem.
• He's a very practical person, always getting things done.

Applicable when taking a realistic and practical approach, often dealing with things sensibly and based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

• Her pragmatic approach to the issue saved us a lot of time.
• Being pragmatic, he decided to settle the dispute out of court.

Used when showing good judgment and making decisions that are likely to produce positive outcomes, often sharing similarities with 'practical' but with more emphasis on wisdom and careful thought.

• It’s sensible to save money for emergencies.
• Choosing the sensible option helped us avoid many problems.

Used when acknowledging or dealing with things as they are, with an understanding of what can actually be achieved or expected, often offering a sober and grounded perspective.

• We need to set realistic goals to avoid disappointment.
• It's not realistic to expect everything to go perfectly.

Used to describe hands-on experience or activities that apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

• During the practical chemistry class, students performed various experiments.
• She prefers practical skills over theoretical knowledge.

A temporary position, often related to one's field of study, that allows individuals to gain work experience. Typically lasts a few months and may or may not be paid.

• She completed a summer internship at a tech company.
• He gained valuable skills during his internship at the hospital.

Refers to a system of training a new generation of workers or practitioners in a trade or profession through on-the-job training and often accompanying study. It usually lasts for a few years.

• He is doing an apprenticeship in carpentry at a local workshop.
• The apprenticeship program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience.

Used to describe the act of placing someone in a job or a position of work experience, often arranged by an educational institution.

• The university offers job placement services to help graduates find employment.
• She secured a placement at a law firm through her college's career services.