Idealist vs. Practical

Idealistnoun

(philosophy) One who adheres to idealism.

Practicalnoun

(British) A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability

Idealistnoun

Someone whose conduct stems from idealism rather than from practicality.

Practicaladjective

Based on practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis

‘Jack didn't get an engineering degree, but has practical knowledge of metalworking.’;

Idealistnoun

An unrealistic or impractical visionary.

Practicaladjective

Being likely to be effective and applicable to a real situation; able to be put to use

‘Jack's knowledge has the practical benefit of giving us useful prototype parts.’;

Idealistnoun

One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations.

Practicaladjective

Of a person, having skills or knowledge that are practical

‘All in all, Jack's a very practical chap.’;

Idealistnoun

One who holds the doctrine of idealism, in any sense. In senses 4 and 5 of idealism, opposed to realist.

Practicaladjective

Of or pertaining to practice or action.

Idealistnoun

someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations

Practicaladjective

Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry.

Practicaladjective

Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

Practicaladjective

Derived from practice; as, practical skill.

Practicaladjective

concerned with actual use or practice;

‘he is a very practical person’; ‘the idea had no practical application’; ‘a practical knowledge of Japanese’; ‘woodworking is a practical art’;

Practicaladjective

guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory;

‘a hardheaded appraisal of our position’; ‘a hard-nosed labor leader’; ‘completely practical in his approach to business’; ‘not ideology but pragmatic politics’;

Practicaladjective

being actually such in almost every respect;

‘a practical failure’; ‘the once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin’;

Practicaladjective

having or put to a practical purpose or use;

‘practical mathematics’; ‘practical applications of calculus’;

Practicaladjective

of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas

‘there are two obvious practical applications of the research’;

Practicaladjective

(of an idea, plan, or method) likely to succeed or be effective in real circumstances; feasible

‘neither of these strategies are practical for smaller businesses’;

Practicaladjective

suitable for a particular purpose

‘a practical, stylish kitchen’;

Practicaladjective

(of a person) sensible and realistic in their approach to a situation or problem

‘I'm merely being practical—we must find a ground-floor flat’;

Practicaladjective

(of a person) skilled at manual tasks

‘Steve'll fix it—he's quite practical’;

Practicaladjective

so nearly the case that it can be regarded as so; virtual

‘for all practical purposes, she's his girlfriend’;

Practicalnoun

an examination or lesson in which theories and procedures learned are applied to the actual making or doing of something.