Long Definition:
prag·mat·ic 
Audio Help /præg?mæt?k/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[prag-mat-ik] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
| 1. |
of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations. |
| 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.
| b. |
officious; meddlesome; interfering. |
| c. |
dogmatic; opinionated. |
|
–noun
| 8. |
Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person. |
Also, prag·mat·i·cal (for defs. 1, 2, 5).
[Origin:
1580–90; < L
pr?gmaticus < Gk
pr?gmatikós practical, equiv. to
pr?gmat- (s. of
prâgma) deed, state business (deriv. of
pr
ssein to do, fare; see
practic) +
-ikos -ic]
—Related forms
prag·mat·i·cal·i·ty, prag·mat·i·cal·ness, noun
prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
NOTE: I've only seen definition 1 above used on the GRE.
Short Definition: Practical
Sentences:
- Let's be pragmatic. There's no need to argue about whether or not the Toyota or the Lexus is more powerful, since we can't afford the Lexus anyway.
- Her pragmatic approach to governance–championing approaches that were effective rather than those that were appealing–made her a very effective leader.
- Pragmatism says we ignore beauty and concentrate on effectiveness.
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