What does impracticable mean?
Impracticable is a formal adjective meaning impossible or highly unsuitable to put into practice. It is often used of plans, proposals, systems, and solutions, especially when an idea may appear attractive in theory but cannot be carried out because of cost, complexity, time, or practical circumstances. The word is stronger than impractical, which can describe something as inconvenient or unwise without necessarily implying that it cannot be used at all. For example, a design may be described as impracticable when it cannot realistically be built or implemented, or as impractical when it is possible but inefficient or troublesome. The term is useful when discussing the difference between an idea's theoretical validity and its real-world feasibility.
adjectiveNot capable of being put into practice or carried out. An impracticable plan, method, or proposal may be theoretically possible but is unsuitable or impossible to use in practice.
- Not capable of being carried out or put into practice; impossible or highly impractical to implement.
"The committee rejected the proposal as too costly and impracticable to implement."
"Building the proposed bridge was deemed impracticable because of the difficult terrain."
"Her impracticable suggestion generated debate but no workable alternative."
Something can be technically possible yet still impracticable: the obstacle may be cost, practicality, or the way people actually live, rather than the underlying idea.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impracticable come from?
Impracticable was formed by adding the prefix in- to practicable, meaning able to be done or put into practice. The root ultimately comes through Latin practicare, “to practice, act, or perform,” with development through English practice and practical.
Related word forms
How impracticable is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in discussion of plans, proposals, systems, and ideas. It is more emphatic than impractical and can suggest that a course of action is not merely inconvenient but genuinely unsuitable or impossible to implement.
Easily confused with impracticable
Impracticable means impossible or extremely difficult to put into practice, whereas impractical more often means inconvenient, unsuitable, or not worth the effort.