practically

adverb

PRAK-tik-lee/ˈpɹæktɪk(ə)li/

4 meanings of practically

1
adverb
Almost completely or entirely; very nearly.
By noon the bakery had sold practically all of its bread.
The renovation was so thorough that the house is practically a new building.
Similaralmost, nearly, virtually
2
adverb
In actual practice or in effect, though perhaps not officially, technically, or legally.
The treaty was never formally ratified, but practically it has governed trade between the two nations for decades.
Legally the company still exists; practically, it closed when its last employee left.
Similareffectively
Oppositetheoretically, nominally
Note
Its force comes from a contrast, stated or implied: Stalin was not technically or legally head of state but was practically so. Effectively and de facto do the same work. Take the contrast away and the sentence tips toward the "almost" meaning, so practically head of state can be heard as nearly head of state, which says something quite different.
3
adverb
In a practical way: so that something can be done, and done without much difficulty.
Engineers had to show that the design was not only safe but practically achievable on the existing budget.
The small kitchen is arranged practically, with every pan within easy reach of the stove.
Similarsensibly, conveniently, realistically, functionally
Oppositeimpractically
Note
Two uses share this meaning. Before an adjective such as achievable, practically means within what can really be done; after a verb, it describes manner, as when a small kitchen is arranged practically. In the first use, practicably is a close synonym.
4
adverb
With regard to practice, or to a particular practice.
Practically trained nurses learned on the ward, while later classes studied the theory at college first.
A practically oriented engineer, he cared more about whether the pump ran than about the elegance of the equations.
Oppositetheoretically
Note
It usually stands in front of an adjective or participle: practically minded, practically educated, practically trained. Its natural partner is theoretical, and the pair marks a familiar split: someone practically educated has learned by doing and may lack theoretical depth, while a practically minded person is better with things than with words or numbers.

Practice

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Origin

Formed from practical + the suffix -ly.