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View synonyms for practically

practically

[ prak-tik-lee ]

adverb

  1. in effect; virtually:

    It is practically useless to protest.

  2. in a practical manner:

    to think practically.

  3. from a practical point of view:

    Practically speaking, the plan is not very promising.

  4. almost; nearly:

    Their provisions were practically gone.



practically

/ -klɪ; ˈpræktɪkəlɪ /

adverb

  1. virtually; almost

    it has rained practically every day

  2. in actuality rather than in theory

    what can we do practically to help?

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Usage Note

A few usage guides object to the use of practically in the senses “in effect, virtually” and “almost, nearly.” Both uses, however, are well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of practically1

First recorded in 1615–25; practical + -ly
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Example Sentences

They’ll also need to build a machine based on the entire setup, showing that it works not just in bits and pieces, but practically as a whole.

Disciplining members is a rare tactic, and practically unheard of for comments made before being elected.

From Vox

Some campus leaders worry that lessons learned from the fall term are not enough to guide their decisions in a fast-moving public health emergency with new revelations emerging practically every day.

She’s been showing off the new look all over social media, and practically everyone is begging for more selfies.

This process recovered practically all of the plastic from the original film, the researchers reported last November in Science Advances.

In that country at that moment, the Catholics have practically disappeared.

And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch.

The Industrial Revolution and Victorian practically erased the holiday in England.

One bite too many, and I could look down and practically see my thighs expanding before my eyes.

Rising up from scooping bay, the steep topography—hemmed by hills of evergreens—promises panoramas at practically every turn.

Where the outside conditions are not very favourable, practically all the British species may be grown with ease under glass.

And could it not be extended from its present limited range until it reached practically the whole adolescent community?

The wretched young man persistently exercises his right of crying "Banco," and so practically going double or quits each time.

There I was, practically tête-à-tête with the man; the noise of the crowd drowned my cries and remonstrances.

Will it be believed—practically none, not more than twenty in the whole island!

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