pragmatic

pragmatic — adjective

1. choosing the option most likely to work in the real situation, instead of insist

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

choosing the option most likely to work in the real situation, instead of insisting on perfect ideas or strict principles.

Example

The mayor took a pragmatic approach and used the school gym as a clinic.

collocation: pragmatic approach

After the bridge broke, Lina was pragmatic about deliveries and hired two local drivers.

pattern: be pragmatic about + problem

Common collocations
  • pragmatic approach
  • pragmatic decision
  • pragmatic solution
  • pragmatic compromise
  • pragmatic policy
Synonyms
  • practical

    close in meaning, but often broader and less formal

  • realistic

    stresses accepting facts and limits as they are

  • sensible

    everyday word for showing good judgement

  • down-to-earth

    more informal; also suggests a simple, unshowy manner

Antonyms
  • idealistic

    guided by perfect hopes or principles rather than present conditions

  • dogmatic

    unwilling to adjust fixed beliefs

  • theoretical

    based more on ideas than on what can actually be done

Grammar Patterns

a pragmatic approach to + noun

be pragmatic about + noun

a pragmatic solution / compromise / decision

Usage Note

Usually describes people, policies, decisions, or ways of dealing with a problem, especially in business, government, and public debate. Distinguish from 'practical': pragmatic stresses adapting to current facts and choosing what will work, while practical often stresses usefulness or hands-on action.

Common Mistakes

We need a pragmatic bag for the trip.
We need a practical bag for the trip.
'pragmatic' describes a way of thinking or deciding, not the useful design of an object.

Word family

  • pragmatically
    adverbC2
  • pragmatism
    nounC2
  • pragmatist
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For this sense, pragmatic is more formal than practical and is especially common in politics, business, and policy. A pragmatic person or plan focuses on what will work under present conditions, even if the answer is not elegant or ideal. Practical often points to usefulness or hands-on action. Realistic stresses seeing the facts clearly, especially limits and risks. Sensible is a broader everyday word for good judgement in ordinary choices. Down-to-earth can overlap, but it also suggests a warm, unshowy personality. A pragmatic mayor may close one road to keep traffic moving; a realistic mayor admits the budget is small; a sensible mayor warns residents early; a down-to-earth mayor explains the change plainly.

practical ↗realistic ↗sensible ↗down-to-earth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • pragmatic approach
  • pragmatic decision
  • pragmatic solution
  • pragmatic compromise
  • pragmatic policy

Adverbs

  • highly pragmatic
  • politically pragmatic
  • deeply pragmatic

Phrases

  • take a pragmatic approach
  • be pragmatic about something

Prepositions

  • pragmatic about + topic
  • pragmatic in + situation

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Pragmatic comes from Greek pragmatikos, a word linked to pragma, meaning 'deed', 'act', or 'matter'. Through Latin and French forms it entered English with the basic idea of dealing with affairs and actions. That history helps explain the modern meaning: a pragmatic person pays attention to what can actually be done in a real situation.