pragmatic
prag-MAT-ik/pɹæɡˈmætɪk/
- 1Thinking about what will really work, not just about ideas.
She is pragmatic and always picks the plan that will actually work.
Buying a cheaper car was a pragmatic decision.
UsageSay a pragmatic choice or a pragmatic approach.
Similarpractical, realistic, sensible, down-to-earth
Oppositeidealistic, impractical, unrealistic
- 2Getting into other people's business when no one asked you to.
Note
Less common meanings
- 3Describes writing or history that looks at why things happened and what they caused, not at small details.
Polybius’s pragmatic history is simply the history of affairs, as distinguished from the descriptive and often poetical character which much history before his time had.
1854, J. G., “On the Dating of Ancient History” - 4An official order from a ruler or government that is made known to everyone.
- 5A person who pokes into other people's business.
- 6A man who works in business.
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Origin
From a Greek word meaning "active" or "skilled in affairs", from the Greek word for "to do".
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Pragmatic derives from Ancient Greek πραγματικός, meaning active or versed in affairs. en.wiktionary.org
- The Greek source ultimately derives from πράσσω, meaning to do, through πρᾶγμα. en.wiktionary.org