adj. & n.
adj. 1 of or concerned with practice or use rather than theory. 2 suited to use or action; designed mainly to fulfil a function (practical shoes). 3 (of a person) inclined to action rather than speculation; able to make things function well. 4 a that is such in effect though not nominally (for all practical purposes). b virtual (in practical control). 5 feasible; concerned with what is actually possible (practical politics).
n. a practical examination or lesson. practical joke a humorous trick played on a person. practical joker a person who plays practical jokes. practicality n. (pl. -ies). practicalness n.
[ earlier practic f. obs. F practique or LL practicus f. Gk praktikos f. prasso do, act ]