PRACTICABLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does practicable mean? 

• PRACTICABLE (adjective)
  The adjective PRACTICABLE has 2 senses:

1. usable for a specific purpose

2. capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are

  Familiarity information: PRACTICABLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRACTICABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Usable for a specific purpose

Synonyms:

operable; practicable

Context example:

a practicable solution

Similar:

practical (concerned with actual use or practice)

Derivation:

practicability; practicableness (the quality of being usable)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are

Synonyms:

executable; feasible; practicable; viable; workable

Similar:

possible (capable of happening or existing)

Derivation:

practicableness (the quality of being usable)

 Context examples 

"If you have explored the east, we should travel along the base of the cliff to the west, and seek for a practicable point for our ascent."

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Known to have some influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Is it practicable for any of the others to double it?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

How can you imagine such conduct practicable?

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She was very far from wishing to dwell on her own feelings, or to represent herself as suffering much, any otherwise than as the self-command she had practised since her first knowledge of Edward's engagement, might suggest a hint of what was practicable to Marianne.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It was not closed, however, it still remained ajar; but by engaging the housekeeper in incessant conversation, she hoped to make it practicable for him to chuse his own subject in the adjoining room.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the party; and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss Musgroves, who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the manner of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and their surprise at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation and arrangement which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She could only resolve at last, that she would still avoid a meeting with her, and communicate all that need be told by letter; that it would be inexpressibly desirable to have her removed just now for a time from Highbury, and—indulging in one scheme more—nearly resolve, that it might be practicable to get an invitation for her to Brunswick Square.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)