Practice is a versatileable to be used in many different ways or situations word with several related meanings. It can mean turning an idea into action, a usual way of doing something, training by repetitiondoing the same thing again and again for learning, or working in a professiona paid type of work that needs special training.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈpræktɪs/
Easy pronunciation: PRAK-tiss (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Noun meaning repeated training or rehearsal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Practice Meaning
doing something again and again to improve at it
Part of speech: noun
Definition: systematic training by repeated performance or effort
Example: She needs more practice before the recital.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- drill — A strong substitute when practice means repeated training.
- exercise — Works well for repeated training or skill-building.
- practice session — A close phrase for one period of training or rehearsal.
- recitation — Fits some formal learning contexts, especially spoken practice.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Practice
Meaning 2
putting a plan or principle into real use
Part of speech: noun
Definition: turning an idea into action
Example: That theory is hard to put into practice.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- praxis — A direct synonym in this sense, though more formal and less common.
Meaning 3
the usual way something is done
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a customary way of doing something
Example: It is their practice to give annual raises.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- pattern — Related, but less exact; it can work when practice means a regular custom.
Meaning 4
repeat an activity to get better at it
Part of speech: verb
Definition: learn by repetition; do something repeatedly to improve
Example: Pianists practice scales every day.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- drill — A strong fit when the focus is repeated training.
- exercise — Works when practice means repeating skills or movements.
Meaning 5
rehearse or prepare for a performance
Part of speech: verb
Definition: engage in a rehearsal of something
Example: The band practiced for two hours before the show.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- rehearse — The clearest synonym for this sense.
- practise — A spelling variant in British English, not a different word.
Meaning 6
carry out a behavior or activity
Part of speech: verb
Definition: engage in or perform
Example: They practice safe sex.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- commit — Works in some fixed expressions, but is narrower and less natural as a general substitute.
Meaning 7
work as a professional, especially a lawyer or doctor
Part of speech: verb
Definition: carry out or work in a profession
Example: She practices law in Chicago.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- do — Possible in some contexts, but too general to be a strong synonym.
- exercise — Can mean carry out a profession in formal usage, but is less natural than practice.
- practise — British spelling variant.
Meaning 8
what people normally do in a place or group
Part of speech: noun
Definition: knowledge of how something is usually done
Example: It is not the local practice to wear shorts to dinner.
Meaning 9
a professional office or business, especially a doctor’s or lawyer’s
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the work of a professional person or the business they run
Example: I took over his practice when he retired.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Practice Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- drill
- exercise
turning an idea into action
- praxis
a customary way of doing something
- pattern
rehearse or prepare for a performance
- rehearse
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse practice the noun meaning 'training' with practice the verb meaning 'do repeatedly.'
- Do not mix up practice with 'practise' in British English: practise is usually the verb spelling, while practice is the noun spelling.
- Do not use pattern as a full synonym when practice means training or profession; it only fits the 'usual way' sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common meaning of practice?
The most common everyday meaning is doing something repeatedly to improve skill or prepare for it.
Is practice a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a noun, it often means training or a usual way of doing something. As a verb, it means to do something repeatedly or work in a profession.
What is a simple synonym for practice?
For the training sense, drill and exercise are the strongest simple synonyms.
What is the difference between practice and practise?
In British English, practise is usually the verb and practice is usually the noun. In American English, practice is used for both.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
