(prăkˈtĭ-kə-bəl)
adjective- Capable of being effected, done, or put into practice; feasible. See Synonyms at possible.
- Usable for a specified purpose: a practicable way of entry.
Related Forms:
Usage Note: It is easy to confuse
practicable and
practical because they look so much alike and overlap in meaning.
Practicable means “feasible” as well as “usable,” and it cannot be applied to persons.
Practical has at least eight meanings, including the sense “capable of being put into effect, useful,” wherein the confusion with
practicable arises. But there is a subtle distinction between these words that is worth keeping. For the purpose of ordering coffee in a Parisian café, if would be
practical (that is, useful) to learn some French, but it still might not be
practicable for someone with a busy schedule and little time to learn.
