practicable
adj/ˈpɹæktɪkəbəl/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin prācticābilis, partly modelled on Middle French praticable. By surface analysis, practice (verb) + -able.
1
Capable of being accomplished; feasible.
- Those who have concerned themselves exclusively with what seemed practicable in the existing state of opinion have constantly found that even this has rapidly become politically impossible as the result of changes in a public opinion which they have done nothing to guide.1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 433:
- The law in most states says that cyclists must ride as far to the right as is practicable.1986, Fred Matheny, Solo Cycling: How to Train and Race Bicycle Time Trials, page 136:
3 more examples
- This sober and unflinching analysis should be read and reckoned with by anyone concerned with practicable change in the long-suffering region.2010 September 13, Publishers Weekly, Gaza in Crisis: Reflections on Israel's War Against the Palestinians:
- “The player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so,” the guidelines state, with golfers that exceed 40 seconds – AKA “bad time” – “informed as soon as practicable” by a tournament official.2023 May 4, Jack Bantock, “Tee-k Tock: The ‘appalling’ slow play controversy riling golf’s biggest stars”, in CNN:
- Monday’s executive order called on the secretary of state and director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause funding “with all practicable speed.”2025 January 21, Christian Edwards, “What is the World Health Organization and why does Trump want to leave it?”, in CNN:
2
Serving a useful function; useful, functional or handy.
3
Available for use; accessible or employable.
- I glanced up, — there was no trap door which led to the roof. No practicable nook or cranny, in which a living being could lie concealed, was anywhere at hand.1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:
- Antonyms
- impracticable
- Derived terms
- practicability, practicableness, practicably, unpracticable
- Related terms
- practical