Showing posts with label practical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label practical. Show all posts

Thursday, October 2, 2014

practical, practicable

Practical or practical describes something related to everyday life, work, or business--
He's a practical  man; he likes to talk about work, but not much else.
Practical also means suited for or designed for actual use--
He is studying practical math, the kind used in business.
We get closer to a practical working robot every year.
Practical also means able to think in terms of advantages or disadvantages; of the outcome or consequences; matter-of-fact--
If they get emotional, remind them to be practical.
This talk of values is getting us nowhere; we need to think in practical terms.
Practical also means in effect, or as in actual use--
We have to plan for bad weather; it's a practical certainty.
Pratical describes someone skilled in getting along in everyday life, someone who considers needs before wants or fancies--
She's a practical woman; she always has the house taken care of, and money left at the end of the month.

Practicable or practicable describes something that can be done with the means available; something feasible--
We need a practicable solution, one the county treasury can afford.
Given the time constraints, what would be a practicable alternative?
Practicable also describes a working part of a theater set, as opposed to something made only for show--
We'll need to construct a practicable faucet, one she can turn on and off during the performance.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"No more philosophical digressions; let's be practical, and try to work out a practicable arrangement."