What does practise mean?
To practise a skill is to perform it repeatedly, usually with the aim of improving or becoming proficient. A musician might practise scales, a learner might practise pronunciation, and a speaker might practise a presentation. The verb can also mean to follow a profession or put a principle into practice, as in "practise medicine" or "practise what you preach." In British English, the conventional distinction is that practise is the verb, while practice is the noun: one practises a skill and has a practice. In American English, practice is used for both parts of speech, making the two spellings interchangeable in standard US usage. The word is useful because it covers both deliberate rehearsal and the application of a skill or principle in real activity. It is generally neutral and can describe training in formal, educational, professional, artistic, or everyday contexts.
To perform an activity repeatedly in order to improve a skill or prepare for a task.
"The students practised their pronunciation before the oral exam."
British English generally uses "practise" for the verb; US English normally uses "practice".
To follow or carry out a profession, principle, or way of life.
"The organisation works to practise sustainable farming."
This use is less common in everyday speech and is especially associated with formal or professional contexts.
The act of repeatedly performing an activity in order to improve a skill; in British usage, a less common variant of "practice".
"Regular practise is essential for developing fluency in a spoken language."
The noun use is chiefly British and less usual than "practice"; it should not be confused with the more common US verb spelling.
In British English, the spelling remembers an old distinction: practise what you do, practice what you know.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does practise come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Old French practiser, a verb meaning to put into practice. Old French practiser was derived from Latin practicare, which in turn came from practicus, meaning practical or concerned with action. The root ultimately relates to Greek praktikos, derived from pragma, meaning an act or deed. The British spelling distinction developed later, with practise becoming the conventional verb form and practice the usual noun form; American usage did not preserve this distinction.
Related word forms
How practise is actually used
In standard British English, "practise" is the verb form and "practice" is normally the noun form. US English uses "practice" for both. The spelling distinction is not observed consistently everywhere, especially in informal writing.
Easily confused with practise
In British English, "practise" is normally the verb and "practice" is the noun; in US English, "practice" is used for both.