How to pronounce practical
Say it like PRAK-tuh-kul. Practical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce practical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRAK
- tuh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Practical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of practical
American and British speakers say practical in essentially the same way: /ˈpræktəkəl/ in the US and /ˈpræktɪkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRAK-tih-kul.
What does practical mean?
- concerned with actual use or practice“he is a very practical person”“the idea had no practical application”
- guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory“a hardheaded appraisal of our position”“a hard-nosed labor leader”
- being actually such in almost every respect“a practical failure”“the once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin”
Where does practical come from?
From Middle English practical, practicale, praktycall, from Medieval Latin practicālis.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with practical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of practical.
Questions about saying practical
How do you pronounce practical?
Say PRAK-tuh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpræktəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈpræktɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in practical?
Practical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAK). Broken into parts: PRAK · tuh · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say practical the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpræktəkəl/ and the British form is /ˈpræktɪkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.