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Practical vs Tactical - What's the difference?

practical | tactical |

As adjectives the difference between practical and tactical

is that practical is based on practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis while tactical is of, or relating to tactics.

As a noun practical

is (british) a part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability.

practical

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (British) A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Based on practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis
  • Jack didn't get an engineering degree, but has practical knowledge of metalworking.
  • Being likely to be effective and applicable to a real situation; able to be put to use
  • Jack's knowledge has the practical benefit of giving us useful prototype parts.
  • Of a person, having skills or knowledge that are practical
  • All in all, Jack's a very practical chap

    Antonyms

    * (based on practice or action) theoretical * (being likely to effective and applicable to a real situation) impractical * (of a person) impractical

    Derived terms

    * practicality * practically

    tactical

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • of, or relating to tactics
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=June 2 , author= Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Belgium , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=As in the 1-0 win against Norway in Oslo, this was an England performance built on the foundations of solid defence and tactical discipline.}}
  • of, or relating to military operations that are smaller or more local than strategic ones
  • adroit, skilful or ingenious
  • (firearms) having a military appearance, typically with accessories such as a bipod, adjustable stock, detachable magazine or black coloration
  • Derived terms

    * tactically * tactical aeromedical evacuation * tactical air command center * tactical air commander * tactical air control center * tactical air control party * tactical air coordinator * tactical air direction center * tactical airfield fuel dispensing system * tactical air groups * tactical air officer * tactical air operation * tactical air operations center * tactical air reconnaissance * tactical air support * tactical air support element * tactical air transport operations * tactical assembly area * tactical call sign * tactical combat force * tactical concept * tactical control * tactical deception group * tactical digital information link * tactical diversion * tactical event system * tactical exploitation of national capabilities * tactical information processing and interpretation system * tactical intelligence * tactical intelligence and related activities * tactical level of war * tactical loading * tactical locality * tactical-logistical group * tactical map * tactical minefield * tactical mining * tactical nuclear weapon employment * tactical obstacles * tactical operations center * tactical range * tactical reserve * tactical security * tactical sub-concept * tactical transport aircraft * tactical troops * tactical unit * tactical vehicle * tactical warning * tactical warning and assessment * tactical warning and attack assessment