Another Word for Practice – Meaning, Synonyms, and Examples

The word practice is highly versatile, referring both to the repeated exercise of a skill to improve proficiency and to the actual application of an idea or profession. To make your English more varied and professional, learning another word for practice will help. Using synonyms allows you to specify whether you mean repetition, application, or custom.

What is Another Word for Practice?

A great synonym for practice (in the sense of exercising a skill) is rehearsal. Practice means to perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly to improve or maintain proficiency. Rehearsal means a trial performance or practice of a play, piece of music, or other work for public presentation. While rehearsal often relates to performing arts, both words emphasize the necessary act of repetition before a final performance or use. Learning words like rehearsal helps you emphasize the preparation stage for a public display of skill.

Meaning of “Practice”

Practice (noun) means the actual application or use of an idea, method, or skill; or, repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill. (Verb) means to perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly.

We use the noun for repetition (hours of guitar practice), application (the practice of law), or custom (common business practice). We use the verb for action (to practice meditation).

Synonyms for “Practice”

Here are some common ways to say practice:

• Rehearsal: A trial performance or practice before a public presentation. (A strong alternative emphasizing repetition before a show.)
• Exercise: Activity requiring physical or mental effort; or, the use or application of a faculty or right. (Used for physical or mental exertion.)
• Application: The action of putting something into operation. (Used when emphasizing the use of rules or theory.)
• Custom: A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something specific to a particular society, place, or time. (Used when emphasizing established methods.)
• Drill: (Noun) An exercise, especially a military one, involving repeated or rigorous training in a skill. (Used when emphasizing rigorous repetition.)

Example Sentences

• The final rehearsal before opening night will run for three hours.
• Daily mental exercise is as important as physical activity for brain health.
• The theory’s application to real-world problems proved successful.
• It is common custom in the industry to offer a grace period for payment.
• The football team runs the same tackling drill at the beginning of every session.

Mini Dialogue

Sam: “How much more practice does the orchestra need before the concert?”

Mia: “They need one more full rehearsal to tighten the timing. The conductor wants more drill work on the third movement.”

Sam: “Their relentless exercise will surely pay off.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Don’t use Drill when referring to an abstract activity or a professional field (e.g., the drill of medicine). Drill is best for specific, rigorous, repetitive training.

✅ Do use Exercise for general repetition, and Application for the use of knowledge or rules.

Let’s Practice!

Which synonym best fits this sentence? “The professor insisted that students focus on the __________ of ethical principles in their casework, not just the theory.” (Answer: Application – This synonym works best because it refers specifically to the action of putting a theoretical idea or principle into operation or use.)

Practice Tip

Use exercise or application instead of “practice” in your next conversation about learning or work.

Final Note

Knowing what is another word for practice and practicing synonyms like rehearsal and application will help you describe repetition and use clearly.