Practise and practice sound the same, but the spelling depends on two things: your country and whether the word is a noun or a verb.
Practise vs. Practice
The 2-Step Rule
Step 1: Check Your Country
- American English → Always use practice (noun and verb).
- British / Australian English → You must choose between C and S.
Step 2: Check the Part of Speech (UK & Australia Only)
- Practice = Noun
- Practise = Verb
That’s it.
The easy memory trick:
- PractiCe → ends with CE → think ICE → a thing (noun).
- PractiSe → ends with SE → think IS → action (verb).
Noun = C.
Verb = S.
Meaning and Examples
Practice (Noun)
Refers to the act itself, a session, or a professional business.
- The team has basketball practice tonight.
- She needs more practice before the exam.
- The doctor runs a private practice.
- Good study habits require regular practice.
Practise (Verb – UK/Australia)
Means to perform repeatedly to improve a skill.
- She likes to practise yoga every morning. (UK)
- He must practise his guitar before the concert. (UK)
- They are practising for the competition. (UK)
Practice (Verb – American English)
In American English, the verb also uses practice.
- She practices yoga every morning. (US)
- He practiced the speech last night. (US)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Region | Noun | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Practice | Practice |
| United Kingdom | Practice | Practise |
| Australia | Practice | Practise |
Quick test:
- If you can replace the word with training session, it’s a noun → use practice.
- If you can replace it with do repeatedly, it’s a verb → use practise (UK) or practice (US).
Final takeaway:
US English: Always use practice.
UK/Australia:
- Noun → practice
- Verb → practise
One word in America. Two spellings in Britain. Easy once you know the pattern.
Last Updated on March 3, 2026
English Teacher | IELTS Instructor | English Learning Content Creator at ESLTeacher.org
Nhat Nhat is an English teacher and IELTS instructor specializing in grammar, academic writing, and English learning resources. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), an IELTS 8.0 certificate, and TESOL / TEFL teaching certifications. With over 9 years of teaching experience, he creates practical lessons and educational content to help learners improve their English skills and exam performance.
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