pragmatic

[ prag-mat-ik ]
See synonyms for: pragmaticpragmatics on Thesaurus.com

adjectiveAlso prag·mat·i·cal (for defs. 1, 2, 5).
  1. of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations.

  2. Philosophy. of or relating to pragmatism (def. 2).

  1. of or relating to pragmatics (def. 1, 2).

  2. treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.

  3. of or relating to the affairs of state or community.

  4. Archaic.

    • busy; active.

    • officious; meddlesome; interfering.

    • dogmatic; opinionated.

noun
  1. Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.

Origin of pragmatic

1
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikós “practical,” equivalent to prāgmat-, stem of prâgma “deed, state business,” derivative of prā́ssein “to do, fare” + -ikos -ic;see practic

Other words from pragmatic

  • prag·mat·i·cal·i·ty, prag·mat·i·cal·ness, noun
  • prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • an·ti·prag·mat·ic, adjective
  • an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
  • an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • non·prag·mat·ic, adjective, noun
  • non·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
  • non·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • un·prag·mat·ic, adjective
  • un·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
  • un·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby pragmatic

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How to use pragmatic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pragmatic

pragmatic

/ (præɡˈmætɪk) /


adjective
  1. advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma

  2. philosophy of or relating to pragmatism

  1. involving everyday or practical business

  2. of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community

  3. rare interfering or meddlesome; officious

Origin of pragmatic

1
C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do
  • Also (for senses 3, 5): pragmatical

Derived forms of pragmatic

  • pragmaticality, noun
  • pragmatically, adverb

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