practice/practise
practice/practise
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "practice/practise" is:
/ˈpræk.tɪs/ (General American English)
/ˈpræk.tɪs/ (Received Pronunciation - British English)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First Syllable: /ˈpræk/
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive (like the 'p' in "pen")
/r/: Alveolar approximant (like the 'r' in "run")
/æ/: Near-open front unrounded vowel (like the 'a' in "cat" or "trap")
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive (like the 'k' in "cat")
Second Syllable: /tɪs/
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive (like the 't' in "top")
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the 'i' in "ship" or "kit")
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative (like the 's' in "say")
Word Form Variations
I. As a Noun
Singular:
practice (Used in both American and British English)
Example: "It's good practice to review your notes."
Example: "The doctor runs a successful practice."
Plural:
practices (Used in both American and British English)
Example: "These are common business practices."
Example: "The team had several practices before the game."
II. As a Verb
Base Form / Infinitive:
practice (American English)
practise (British English)
Example (American): "I need to practice my guitar."
Example (British): "I need to practise my guitar."
Third-Person Singular Present (he/she/it):
practices (American English)
practises (British English)
Example (American): "She practices piano every day."
Example (British): "She practises piano every day."
Past Tense:
practiced (American English)
practised (British English)
Example (American): "He practiced for hours yesterday."
Example (British): "He practised for hours yesterday."
Present Participle / Gerund (-ing form):
practicing (American English)
practising (British English)
Example (American): "She is practicing for the concert."
Example (British): "She is practising for the concert."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Practice (Noun)
Definition 1: The regular exercise or application of a skill, art, or profession, especially to improve proficiency.
Synonyms: training, drill, rehearsal, exercise, preparation, routine, regimen, repetition
Antonyms: neglect, idleness, inactivity, cessation, inexperience, unfamiliarity
Definition 2: The actual application or carrying out of an idea, method, or system, as opposed to theory.
Synonyms: application, implementation, execution, custom, habit, convention, procedure, tradition, operation
Antonyms: theory, hypothesis, speculation, concept, abstraction
Definition 3: The professional work or business of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional.
Synonyms: firm, office, establishment, clinic, chambers, business, profession
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, e.g., "unemployment" or "retirement" could be considered antonyms in a professional context, but there isn't a direct opposite for "a professional practice")
Definition 4: A customary or habitual action or way of doing something.
Synonyms: custom, habit, tradition, convention, usage, routine, ritual, modus operandi
Antonyms: innovation, deviation, anomaly, exception, novelty
Practice / Practise (Verb)
(Note: "Practice" is the American English spelling for the verb. "Practise" is the British English spelling for the verb.)
Definition 1: To perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain proficiency.
Synonyms: train, drill, rehearse, prepare, exercise, repeat, hone, perfect, polish
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, give up, cease, stop, avoid, forget, omit
Definition 2: To carry out or perform (a custom, habit, or action).
Synonyms: observe, perform, execute, enact, follow, adhere to, implement, pursue, live by
Antonyms: disregard, ignore, violate, contravene, abandon, discontinue, neglect
Definition 3: To work professionally at (a specified occupation or profession).
Synonyms: work, operate, engage in, pursue, follow, ply (a trade)
Antonyms: retire, cease work, be unemployed, discontinue, quit
Examples of Use
Books:
"The practice of law is more than just knowing the statutes; it's understanding human nature." (John Grisham, The Reckoning, October 2018)
"Through years of diligent practice, she mastered the intricate movements of the classical ballet." (Misty Copeland, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, March 2014)
Newspapers:
"The government has announced new measures to combat corrupt practices within public institutions." (The Guardian)
"Local doctors are urging residents to practise good hygiene to prevent the spread of seasonal flu." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Mindfulness meditation is a practice that can significantly reduce stress and improve mental well-being." (Psychology Today)
"Many tech companies now practice agile development methodologies to streamline their projects." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Whiplash (October 2014), the intense drum practice sessions are a central theme, depicting the protagonist's relentless pursuit of perfection.
Television Series: "This week's challenge requires you to practise your culinary skills and create a dish worthy of a Michelin star." (From a competitive cooking show, e.g., MasterChef, various seasons)
Music/Song Lyrics: "I get by with a little help from my friends / Oh I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends." (While not directly using "practice," the concept of striving and improving often implies practice, and many training montages in film and TV are set to music.)
Video Games: In many sports simulation games (e.g., FIFA, NBA 2K), players can enter a "training" or "practice mode" to hone their skills before competitive matches.
General Public Discourse:
"I need to get some practice in before the marathon next month." (Heard in conversation)
"It's a common practice in this community to help neighbors with their harvest." (Heard in conversation)
"Doctors should always practise with integrity and prioritize patient well-being." (Common ethical statement, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Practice/Practise
"Practice makes perfect." (Common Proverb)
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." (Yogi Berra)
"Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice." (Anton Chekhov)
"If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it." (Jascha Heifetz)
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Often attributed to Aristotle, popularized by Will Durant as a summary of Aristotle's ethics)
"Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong." (Unknown)
"The more I practice the luckier I get." (Gary Player)
"You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail." (Charlie Parker)
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." (Dalai Lama)
Etymology
The word "practice" (and its British English verb form "practise") has a history rooted in ancient Greek and Latin, moving through French before landing in English.
It essentially means "to do" or "to act."
Here's a breakdown:
Ancient Greek Roots: The word ultimately comes from the Ancient Greek word praktikos, which meant "practical" or "concerning action/business." This itself came from prassein (or prattein), meaning "to do, act, effect, accomplish." So, right from the start, the core idea was about doing things.
Latin Influence: This Greek word made its way into Late Latin as practicus (meaning "practical") and then Medieval Latin as practicare, which meant "to do, perform, or practice."
Old French Connection: From Medieval Latin, it was adopted into Old French as pratiser or practiser, still carrying the meaning of "to practice."
Arrival in English: The word entered English in the late 14th century as a verb, often spelled "practisen" or "practizen." Its very first known uses referred to "to follow or employ" a course of action, or "to do, put into action or practice."
Soon after, in the early 15th century, the noun form "practice" appeared, initially referring to the "practical aspect or application" of something, especially in fields like medicine or alchemy. The sense of "habit" or "frequent performance" came a bit later, around the 1500s. The idea of "exercise for instruction or discipline" (like practicing music) emerged in the 1520s.
So, in simple terms, "practice" started its journey meaning "to do" or "to put into action," and over time, it expanded to include the repeated doing of something to gain skill, or the customary way of doing things, and even the actual running of a profession. The "c" versus "s" spelling difference for the verb is a more recent development that primarily distinguishes American from British English.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Practice/Practise
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "practice/practise":
Practice makes perfect: Repeated exercise of an ability leads to mastery.
Put into practice: To implement or apply a theory, idea, or plan.
Practice what you preach: To act in accordance with the advice or principles one gives to others.
In practice: In reality; when applied to a real situation, as opposed to theory.
A common practice: A customary or widely accepted way of doing something.
To be out of practice: To have lost skill or proficiency due to a lack of recent exercise.
To make a practice of (doing something): To habitually do something; to form a custom or routine.
Rough practice: (Less common) Unfair or unethical conduct, especially in business or politics.
Doctor's/Lawyer's practice: The professional business or firm of a doctor or lawyer.
Target practice: The act of shooting at targets, especially for military or recreational purposes.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of practice/practise from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
