practice
The act of doing an activity or training regularly to improve a skill. It can also refer to the usual way of doing something or a professional business, such as a doctor's office.
Examples
3 of 5I have piano practice every Tuesday after school to get better.
I have a scheduled time to play the piano every Tuesday to improve.
It is standard practice to sign the visitor log upon arrival.
It is the normal rule to sign the book when you arrive.
Don't worry about the game; you just need more practice!
Do not be upset; you only need to train more!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'c' in practice standing for 'Constant effort' (the noun), while 's' in practise stands for 'Skill building' (the verb).
Quick Quiz
If you want to play the guitar well, you need a lot of ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: practice
Examples
I have piano practice every Tuesday after school to get better.
everydayI have a scheduled time to play the piano every Tuesday to improve.
It is standard practice to sign the visitor log upon arrival.
formalIt is the normal rule to sign the book when you arrive.
Don't worry about the game; you just need more practice!
informalDo not be upset; you only need to train more!
The course focuses on both the theory and practice of teaching.
academicThe class looks at the ideas and the actual doing of teaching.
Our medical practice has served the community for over twenty years.
businessOur doctor's office has helped people here for twenty years.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
practice makes perfect
doing something many times helps you do it perfectly
put into practice
to start using an idea or plan in real life
in practice
how something actually happens rather than how it should happen
Often Confused With
In British English, 'practice' is the noun and 'practise' is the verb. In American English, 'practice' is used for both.
Usage Notes
Use 'practice' as a noun when talking about the time spent learning (like football practice) or a doctor's office. In American English, it is also the verb form.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb form 'practise' (UK spelling) when they should use the noun 'practice', or they forget that 'practice' can be uncountable when talking about general training.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'c' in practice standing for 'Constant effort' (the noun), while 's' in practise stands for 'Skill building' (the verb).
Word Origin
From the Greek word 'praktikos', meaning 'practical' or 'fit for action'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'best practice' is a common buzzword used in business to describe the gold standard for doing work.
Quick Quiz
If you want to play the guitar well, you need a lot of ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: practice
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