Practicable vs. Practical: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Practicable" means something is possible or feasible to do, while "practical" refers to something being useful or suited for a specific purpose.
Key Differences
Practicable refers to something that is capable of being done or put into practice. It emphasizes the feasibility and possibility of an action or plan. Practical, on the other hand, denotes something that is more concerned with real-world applications or effective solutions. Practicality involves the aspects of being useful and sensible.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
When something is described as practicable, it suggests that it is attainable or executable within the available means or circumstances. It's about the theoretical possibility of an action. In contrast, practical implies a focus on the pragmatic and efficient approach to doing things. It's grounded in reality and practicality.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Practicable often deals with the theoretical aspect of whether something can be done, without necessarily considering its utility or practical consequences. It's about the logistical possibility. Practical, conversely, is inherently connected to the practicality and usefulness of an action or concept, often implying a hands-on or pragmatic approach.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
In usage, practicable might be used in planning or strategizing phases, assessing whether a plan can be implemented. Practical is more likely to be used when discussing the execution of plans, focusing on how they can be carried out effectively and efficiently.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Summarily, practicable is about the feasibility of an idea or plan, while practical is about the pragmatic application and utility of that idea or plan in a real-world context. The former is more about possibility, the latter about practicality.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Capable of being done; feasible
Concerned with actual use or application
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Focus
Theoretical feasibility and possibility
Real-world utility and application
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Dec 04, 2023
Usage Context
Planning, strategy, theoretical possibility
Execution, practicality, effective application
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Dec 04, 2023
Example Application
"The plan is practicable given our resources."
"Her approach is very practical in solving daily problems."
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Dec 04, 2023
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Practicable and Practical Definitions
Practicable
Within the realm of possibility;
Completing the marathon is hard but practicable.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practical
Serving a beneficial purpose;
She has a practical knowledge of carpentry.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practicable
Capable of being realized or made actual;
A manned mission to Mars is not yet practicable.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practical
Dealing with things sensibly;
His practical approach to problem-solving is effective.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practicable
Possible to achieve;
Climbing the mountain is difficult, but practicable.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Practical
Focused on utility and efficiency;
Practical clothing is essential for outdoor work.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practicable
Capable of being effected, done, or put into practice; feasible.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Of, relating to, governed by, or acquired through practice or action, rather than theory or speculation
Gained practical experience of sailing as a deck hand.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Manifested in or involving practice
Practical applications of calculus.
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Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Capable of or suitable to being used or put into effect; useful
Practical knowledge of Japanese. See Usage Note at practicable.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Concerned with the production or operation of something useful
Woodworking is a practical art.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Having or showing good judgment; sensible
If we're practical, we can do the job quickly.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done or accomplished with available means or resources; feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a practicable good.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Being actually so in almost every respect; virtual
The snowstorm was a practical disaster.
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Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon; a practicable road.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis.
Jack didn't get an engineering degree, but has practical knowledge of metalworking.
Modern engineering applies science to practical problems.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
Usable for a specific purpose;
An operable plan
A practicable solution
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Being likely to be effective and applicable to a real situation; able to be put to use
Jack's knowledge has the practical benefit of giving us useful prototype parts.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
Capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
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Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Of a person, having skills or knowledge that are practical
All in all, Jack's a very practical chap.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
Capable of being accomplished;
The timeline for the project is tight but practicable.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practical
Of a prop: having some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Practicable
Can be carried out or implemented;
The new policy is complex but practicable.
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Dec 04, 2023
Practical
(film) Light fixtures used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
Practical lighting can help sell the illusion that the film is a real situation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Practical
(British) A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability
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Oct 19, 2023
Practical
(theater) A prop that has some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
(film) A light fixture used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Concerned with actual use or practice;
He is a very practical person
The idea had no practical application
A practical knowledge of Japanese
Woodworking is a practical art
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory;
A hardheaded appraisal of our position
A hard-nosed labor leader
Completely practical in his approach to business
Not ideology but pragmatic politics
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Being actually such in almost every respect;
A practical failure
The once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Having or put to a practical purpose or use;
Practical mathematics
Practical applications of calculus
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Oct 19, 2023
Practical
Designed for use;
The furniture is not only stylish but also practical.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Practical
Relevant and appropriate to real situations;
Her practical advice was invaluable during the crisis.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can something be practical but not practicable?
Yes, a solution might be practical (sensible) but not practicable (feasible under current conditions).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "practical" refer to a person?
Yes, a practical person is one who is sensible and focused on effective solutions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Does "practicable" imply a temporary state?
Not necessarily; it refers to feasibility regardless of time.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "practicable" refer to a physical object?
Rarely. It's more about actions or plans.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "practical" related to "practice"?
Yes, it relates to the application or use in practice.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can a theory be practicable?
Only if it can be applied or executed in a practical context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Does "practical" have a scientific usage?
Yes, in terms of practical experiments or applications.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "practicable" the same as "possible"?
Practicable implies feasibility within certain limits, while possible is broader and means capable of happening without such constraints.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "impracticable" a valid word?
Yes, it means not practicable or impossible to do.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "practical" always positive?
Generally, but it can be negative if it implies a lack of imagination or theoretical understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Does "practical" mean the same as "pragmatic"?
They are similar, but practical is more focused on actual practice and utility.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "practicable" used in everyday language?
Less commonly than practical; it's more formal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can an idea be both practical and impracticable?
Yes, if it's sensible but not currently feasible.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "practical" judgment always reliable?
Generally, but it can be influenced by personal biases.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "practicable" be used in a legal context?
Yes, to describe actions that can be legally executed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Are "practical" skills always physical?
No, they can also include theoretical knowledge applied in a practical way.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Do "practicable" and "practical" evolve with technology?
Yes, as technology advances, what is practicable and practical can also change.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "practicable" change over time?
Yes, as circumstances change, what is practicable can also change.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "practicable" be subjective?
To some extent, as feasibility can vary based on individual perspectives.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Does "practical" imply a lack of creativity?
Not necessarily, it can involve creative solutions that are also effective.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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