pragmatic
Adjective
Focused on what will work in a real situation, rather than only on ideas or ideal solutions.
Taking the bus was a pragmatic choice when our car broke down.
Pronunciation & word notes
Pronunciation (IPA): /præɡˈmætɪk/
Usage note: Use pragmatic to describe a person, approach, decision or solution that focuses on practical results.
Origin: From Greek pragmatikos, through Latin; the Greek root pragma means an act or deed.
Listen and repeat in the full lesson → Published 21 Oct 2026
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01 Adjective
Someone or something reliable can be trusted to do what you expect, even when you need them often.
Meaning, examples & practice → 02 Adjective
Lacking initiative, strength of character, or effectiveness; weak and irresponsible.
Meaning, examples & practice → 03 Adjective
Excessively eager to please or obey; overly submissive and flattering.
Meaning, examples & practice → 04 Adjective
Impossible to stop, prevent, or persuade; relentless.
Meaning, examples & practice → 05 Adjective
Difficult to understand or interpret, especially because someone’s expression, motives or intentions reveal little. An inscrutable face gives you few clues about what the…
Meaning, examples & practice → 06 Adjective
Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.
Meaning, examples & practice →
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Burn the candle at both ends To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
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SELECTED READING Pragmatic means focused on what works in practice. Learn what a pragmatic person is, compare pragmatic and idealistic, and try a short quiz.
Published 9 Jun 2025
Read this article → SELECTED READING Abate means become less intense or reduce something. Understand abated, abating and abates, with verb forms, sentence examples and a short practice quiz.
Published 31 May 2025
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