pragmatic
/præɡˈmætɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /præɡˈmætɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /prag-ˈma-tik/ (ame, mw)
pragmatic — adjective
- pragmaticpositive
- more pragmaticcomparative
- most pragmaticsuperlative
1. choosing the option most likely to work in the real situation, instead of insist
choosing the option most likely to work in the real situation, instead of insisting on perfect ideas or strict principles.
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
A pragmatic compromise kept both village libraries open through the winter.
Rather than argue over blame, the coach made a pragmatic plan for Saturday's match.
During the drought, farmers need pragmatic answers, not speeches about the future.
- 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
- 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
文法句型
a pragmatic approach to + noun
be pragmatic about + noun
a pragmatic solution / compromise / decision
用法筆記
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.