English UsageComparison guide

Practice vs. Practise

In standard UK usage, “practice” is the noun and “practise” is the verb; in US English, “practice” is generally used for both noun and verb. This distinction combines region and grammatical role, so check both the variety of English and whether the word is functioning as a noun or verb.

Quick answer

In standard UK usage, “practice” is the noun and “practise” is the verb; in US English, “practice” is generally used for both noun and verb.

Key details

Confusion Familyregional-spelling-and-grammar-role
Noun Variant ScopeThis distinction combines region and grammatical role, so check both the variety of English and whether the word is functioning as a noun or verb.
Rule Familyregional-orthography-and-word-class
Termspractice, practise

Further guidance

Core difference

In standard UK usage, “practice” is the noun and “practise” is the verb; in US English, “practice” is generally used for both noun and verb.

Fast Test

Choose the form that matches the intended meaning, grammatical role, and documented regional convention; do not treat a standard regional variant as an error.

Variant Boundary

This distinction combines region and grammatical role, so check both the variety of English and whether the word is functioning as a noun or verb.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. PRACTICE — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Noun and US verb usage for “practice”
  2. PRACTISE — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · UK verb spelling; US “practice”

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