Words / C1

prag-MAT-ik/præɡˈmætɪk/

Pragmatic means you choose what will work in the real situation, even if it is not the neatest or most ideal solution. Native writers contrast a pragmatic decision with a principled or ideological one. Practical is the everyday cousin (useful, workable); pragmatic stresses attitude: compromise, results, constraints. A pragmatic person is not necessarily unprincipled — they rank what is feasible.

Meaning

Dealing with problems in a practical way.

Examples

• “She took a pragmatic approach to the budget.”
• “A pragmatic fix is to share one lab rather than build two.”
• “He is pragmatic about deadlines: good enough, on time.”

Good to know

pragmatic = results-first, given constraints. practical = useful/workable. Noun: pragmatism.

Near in meaning

practical

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