Impracticable

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Impracticable

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

im-PRAK-tih-kuh-bul  /ɪmˈpraktɪkəb(ə)l/

Definition

Not able to be done or put into practice; impossible to carry out; (of a road or terrain) impassable.

Plain meaning

Impracticable means impossible to actually carry out or put into practice — even if an idea sounds good in theory, it may be impracticable because of physical, logistical, or practical obstacles. A plan may be theoretically valid but impracticable because it would require more resources than exist. A route may be impracticable because the road is blocked or too rough. Impracticable is stronger than impractical: something impractical is inconvenient or unwise; something impracticable literally cannot be done.

Register

Formal. Impracticable is more formal than impractical and is preferred in legal, engineering, and policy contexts where the distinction between 'cannot be done' and 'would be awkward to do' matters. In everyday speech, impractical is more common for both senses.