[ prag-mat-ik ]
/ prægˈmæt ɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR pragmatic ON THESAURUS.COM
adjective Also prag·mat·i·cal (for defs 1, 2, 5).
of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
Philosophy. of or relating to pragmatism(def 2).
of or relating to pragmatics(def 1, 2).
treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
of or relating to the affairs of state or community.
Archaic.
- busy; active.
- officious; meddlesome; interfering.
- dogmatic; opinionated.
noun
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Origin of pragmatic
1580–90; practic) + -ikos -ic
OTHER WORDS FROM pragmatic
prag·mat·i·cal·i·ty, prag·mat·i·cal·ness, nounprag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·prag·mat·ic, adjectivean·ti·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·prag·mat·ic, adjective, nounnon·prag·mat·i·cal, adjectivenon·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbun·prag·mat·ic, adjectiveun·prag·mat·i·cal, adjectiveun·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Words nearby pragmatic
praetorius, praetorship, prag, pragmatagnosia, pragmatamnesia, pragmatic, pragmatic sanction, pragmatic theory, pragmaticism, pragmatics, pragmatism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
VOCAB BUILDER
What does pragmatic mean?
Pragmatic means practical, especially when making decisions.
The word pragmatic is often contrasted with the word idealistic, which means based on or having high principles or ideals. Pragmatic, on the other hand, means based on real world conditions or circumstances—considering what can realistically be done as opposed to the best theoretical course of action. A person who acts pragmatically can be called a pragmatist.
The noun form of pragmatic is pragmatism. Pragmatism can mean the practice of being pragmatic, but it can also more specifically refer to the philosophical movement that emphasizes practical consequences in the determination of meaning, truth, or value.
Example: We need a candidate who’s pragmatic and can get things done in the real world—not some idealist who will never compromise.
Where does pragmatic come from?
The first records of the word pragmatic come from the 1580s. It comes from the Greek pragmatikós, meaning “practical,” from pragma, meaning “act,” from prā́ssein, “to do.” The words practical and praxis derive from the same root.
Idealistic people are sometimes told they need to be more pragmatic. Typically, this means that they should focus on the realistic options or courses of action (the pragmatic ones) instead of only trying to achieve the best-case scenario—the one based on their ideals. Of course, many people navigate life with a balance of pragmatism and idealism: sometimes they compromise, and sometimes they stick to their principles no matter what.
The word pragmatic isn’t always contrasted with idealistic. Sometimes, it’s just used as a way of describing something as practical, logical, or sensible. The word is most often applied to people, actions, or plans.
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What are some other forms related to pragmatic?
What are some synonyms for pragmatic?
What are some words that share a root or word element with pragmatic?
What are some words that often get used in discussing pragmatic?
How is pragmatic used in real life?
Pragmatic is commonly used in a positive way to praise choices or actions that are considered practical and reasonable. It’s often applied to political positions or actions.
Try using pragmatic!
Which of the following words is LEAST like to describe an action considered pragmatic?
A. realistic
B. sensible
C. utilitarian
D. idealistic
Content related to pragmatic
Words related to pragmatic
hardheaded, businesslike, efficient, down-to-earth, logical, practical, realistic, sober, utilitarian, hard, hard-boiled, matter-of-fact, commonsensical, unidealistic
Example sentences from the Web for pragmatic
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But, as far as I can discern, they do focused, pragmatic work.
COEXIST’s Bonehead Bumper-Sticker Politics|Michael Schulson|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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Mixner, both passionate and pragmatic, found a focus in his activism.
Gay Activist David Mixner: I Mercy Killed 8 People|Tim Teeman|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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Fairchild considers herself a pragmatic liberal—a registered Democrat and “kind of a boring moderate.”
Morgan Fairchild: Badass Foreign Policy Wonk|Asawin Suebsaeng|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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But by all accounts Khamenei is a pragmatic politician whose own survival is his first priority.
Inside Iran’s Fling With The U.S.|IranWire|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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The ideal of journalistic neutrality also has pragmatic origins.
How the News Business Found Its Footing|Nick Romeo|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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The Pragmatic Sanction was still observed as the law of the land.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Henry Martyn Baird
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The pragmatic thought is, nevertheless, inherent in any sign process.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
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The Bulgarians, although their motives were also pragmatic, felt a deep sense of kinship with the Russian people.
Area Handbook for Bulgaria|Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
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In the realm of humans, to be compassionate IS to be pragmatic.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
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Images are more constrained, more directly determined by the pragmatic experience in whose framework they are generated.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
British Dictionary definitions for pragmatic
pragmatic
/ (præɡˈmætɪk) /
adjective
advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
philosophy of or relating to pragmatism
involving everyday or practical business
of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community
rare interfering or meddlesome; officious
Also (for senses 3, 5): pragmatical
Derived forms of pragmatic
pragmaticality, nounpragmatically, adverb
Word Origin for pragmatic
C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do
Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012