pragmatic

/prægˈmædɪk/

/prægˈmætɪk/

Other forms: pragmatics

To describe a person or a solution that takes a realistic approach, consider the adjective pragmatic. The four-year-old who wants a unicorn for her birthday isn't being very pragmatic.

The opposite of idealistic is pragmatic, a word that describes a philosophy of "doing what works best." From Greek pragma, "deed," the word has historically described philosophers and politicians who were concerned more with real-world application of ideas than with abstract notions. A pragmatic person is sensible, grounded, and practical — and doesn't expect a birthday celebration filled with magical creatures.

Definitions of pragmatic

1. adjective

   concerned with practical matters
   synonyms: matter-of-fact, pragmatical

   practical

   concerned with actual use or practice
2. adjective

   of or concerning the theory of pragmatism
   synonyms: pragmatical
3. adjective

   guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
   “not ideology but pragmatic politics”

   synonyms: hard-nosed, hardheaded, practical

   objectivist, objectivistic, realistic

   aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
4. noun

   an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land
   synonyms: pragmatic sanction

   type of:

   imperial decree

   a decree issued by a sovereign ruler