pragmatic

[prag-mat-ik] /prægˈmæt ɪk/
adjective, Also, pragmatical (for defs 1, 2, 5).
1.
of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
2.
Philosophy. of or pertaining to pragmatism (def 2).
3.
of or pertaining to pragmatics (defs 1, 2).
4.
treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
5.
of or pertaining to the affairs of state or community.
6.
Archaic.
  1. busy; active.
  2. officious; meddlesome; interfering.
  3. dogmatic; opinionated.
noun
7.
pragmatic sanction.
8.
Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.
Origin
1580-90; < Latin prāgmaticus < Greek prāgmatikós practical, equivalent to prāgmat- (stem of prâgma) deed, state business (derivative of prā́ssein to do, fare; see practic) + -ikos -ic
Related forms
pragmaticality, pragmaticalness, noun
pragmatically, adverb
antipragmatic, adjective
antipragmatical, adjective
antipragmatically, adverb
nonpragmatic, adjective, noun
nonpragmatical, adjective
nonpragmatically, adverb
unpragmatic, adjective
unpragmatical, adjective
unpragmatically, adverb
Examples from the web for pragmatic
  • This is why we as conservationists have to be pragmatic.
  • Which university made the better set of pragmatic choices?
  • He's less a social critic than a pragmatic businessman.
  • The book's mind-over-matter approach is pragmatic and well-explained.
  • It is a pragmatic theory.
  • Some believe the dot-coms will return -- humbled and pragmatic.
  • More pragmatic guidelines remain elusive.
  • Its dominant temperament is strongly pragmatic, activist and nonpartisan.
  • You need to become very, very pragmatic at this point.
  • Throughout, her tone is pragmatic and optimistic.
British Dictionary definitions for pragmatic

pragmatic

/præɡˈmætɪk/
adjective
1.
advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
2.
(philosophy) of or relating to pragmatism
3.
involving everyday or practical business
4.
of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community
5.
(rare) interfering or meddlesome; officious
Also (for senses 3, 5) pragmatical
Derived Forms
pragmaticality, noun
pragmatically, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do
Word Origin and History for pragmatic
adj.

1610s, "meddlesome, impertinently busy," short for earlier pragmatical, or else from Middle French pragmatique (15c.), from Latin pragmaticus "skilled in business or law," from Greek pragmatikos "fit for business, active, business-like; systematic," from pragma (genitive pragmatos) "a deed, act; that which has been done; a thing, matter, affair," especially an important one; also a euphemism for something bad or disgraceful; in plural, "circumstances, affairs" (public or private), often in a bad sense, "trouble," literally "a thing done," from stem of prassein/prattein "to do, act, perform" (see practical). Meaning "matter-of-fact" is from 1853. In some later senses from German pragmatisch.