Meaning & use
practiced
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Good at doing something because you have done it many times.
Grammar: Used before a noun (a practiced speaker) or after a linking verb (she is practiced).
Patterns
- practiced at something
- practiced in doing something
She is a practiced negotiator and rarely loses her temper.
He became practiced at hiding his true feelings.
Only a practiced eye could spot the mistake.
verbtransitive or intransitiveAmerican
The past tense and past participle of 'practice' (to do something repeatedly to get better).
Grammar: Regular verb: practice / practiced / practiced. In British English the verb is spelled 'practise'.
Patterns
- practiced something
- practiced doing something
She practiced the piano for two hours yesterday.
They practiced their lines before the play.
Word forms
| comparative | more practiced |
|---|---|
| superlative | most practiced |
Common combinations
- practiced eye
- A practiced eye can tell real leather from fake.
- practiced hand
- With a practiced hand, she quickly tied the knot.
- well practiced
- His speech sounded well practiced and confident.
Synonyms and how they differ
- skilled
- Focuses on having a high level of ability; often used for jobs and tasks.
- experienced
- Emphasizes having done something for a long time, not just being good at it.
- expert
- Stronger; suggests top-level knowledge or skill.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: practiced or practise?
practiced vs practise
British spelling of the verb; in British English the adjective is 'practised' and the noun is 'practice'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'practiced' correctly as an adjective?
Choose one answer.
'Practiced' as an adjective means skilled through repetition, as in 'a practiced musician'. The other options use 'practiced' as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “practiced”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.