Exercise vs. Practice: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
"Exercise" primarily refers to physical activities for fitness, while "practice" denotes the repetition of an activity to gain skill or proficiency.
Difference Between Exercise and Practice
Exercise and practice both pertain to activities undertaken with a specific intent. Exercise is chiefly understood in the context of physical or mental exertion done to maintain or improve health and fitness. Whether it's lifting weights, doing yoga, or solving mental puzzles, the core idea revolves around enhancement or maintenance. In contrast, practice focuses on repeated or regular performance to acquire or maintain proficiency in a skill.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
A closer look reveals that exercise is often a subset of one's daily or weekly routine aimed at enhancing physical health or mental sharpness. People exercise to stay fit, to boost their mental health, or to achieve a specific physical goal. Practice, on the other hand, might not have immediate tangible benefits like exercise. A musician practicing an instrument or a student practicing math problems is more about long-term mastery and less about immediate results.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Exercise can be spontaneous. One can decide to take a brisk walk or stretch without a long-term goal in mind. On the flip side, practice inherently implies a longer timeline and a larger objective. Practice seeks progression, improvement, or maintenance of a certain skill over time.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
From a linguistic standpoint, both terms can serve as nouns and verbs. However, when someone says they "exercise" without further context, it's usually understood they're referring to physical activity. When someone mentions they "practice," it generally requires more specificity – practice what?
Kaitlyn
Sep 16, 2023
In sum, while both exercise and practice refer to activities with purposeful intent, their nuances lie in their objectives and outcomes. Exercise leans towards health and immediate benefits, whereas practice is geared toward skill and long-term mastery.
William
Sep 16, 2023
Exercise vs. Practice Comparison Chart
Definition
Activity for enhancing physical or mental fitness.
Repeated activity to gain skill or proficiency.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
Grammatical Function
Functions as both noun and verb.
Functions as both noun and verb.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Primary Focus
Health and immediate benefits.
Skill acquisition and long-term mastery.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
Contextual Usage
Often used in the context of physical activity.
Requires specificity about what's being practiced.
Kaitlyn
Sep 16, 2023
Duration & Intention
Can be spontaneous and short-term.
Implies regularity and a longer-term objective.
Olivia
Sep 16, 2023
Exercise vs. Practice Definitions
◉Exercise
Physical activity done for health and fitness.
She does her exercise every morning.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Practice
The regular performance of an activity to improve skill.
She's in practice for the upcoming concert.
Nolan
Sep 16, 2023
◉Exercise
To make use of a right or power.
He chose to exercise his right to remain silent.
Lucas
Sep 16, 2023
◉Exercise
To engage in physical activity to become fit.
He exercises regularly at the gym.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Practice
The practical application of an idea.
They put the theory into practice.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Exercise
Activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness
walks every day for exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A business or place where a professional works.
Dr. Smith opened a new medical practice downtown.
William
Sep 16, 2023
◉Exercise
A specific activity performed to develop or maintain fitness or a skill
sit-ups and other exercises.
a piano exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To do or perform habitually or customarily; make a habit of
practices courtesy in social situations.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
The active use or application of something
the exercise of good judgment.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill
practice a dance step.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To give lessons or repeated instructions to; drill
practiced the students in handwriting.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
An activity having a specified aspect
an undertaking that was an exercise in futility.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
exercises A ceremony that includes speeches, presentations, and other activities
graduation exercises.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To subject to practice or exertion in order to train, strengthen, or develop
exercise the back muscles.
exercise the memory.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To do something repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill
With any musical instrument, you need to practice to get better.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To work at a profession
How long has that lawyer been practicing?.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To make active use of; employ, apply, or exert
exercise restraint.
exercise control.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To do or perform something habitually or repeatedly
Why not practice in the same manner that you preach?.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To carry out the functions of
exercise the role of disciplinarian.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A habitual or customary action or way of doing something
makes a practice of being punctual.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Repeated performance of an activity in order to learn or perfect a skill
Practice will make you a good musician.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To alarm, worry, or anger; upset
an injustice that exercised the whole community.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A session of preparation or performance undertaken to acquire or polish a skill
goes to piano practice weekly.
scheduled a soccer practice for Saturday.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
(countable) Any activity designed to develop or hone a skill or ability.
The teacher told us that the next exercise is to write an essay.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The condition of being skilled through repeated exercise
out of practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.
Swimming is good exercise.
I like to do my exercises every morning before breakfast.
I do crosswords for mental exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The act or process of doing something; performance or action
a theory that is difficult to put into practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
A setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use.
The law guarantees us the free exercise of our rights.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
The performance of an office, ceremony, or duty.
I assisted the ailing vicar in the exercise of his parish duties.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The business of a professional person
an obstetrician with her own practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A habitual or customary action or act
That company engages in questionable business practices. Facial tattooing is a standard practice among certain peoples.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop.
to exercise troops or horses;
to exercise one's brain with a puzzle
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
(Law) The procedure for trial of cases in a court of law, usually specified by rules.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
(intransitive) To perform physical activity for health or training.
I exercise at the gym every day.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The act of tricking or scheming, especially with malicious intent.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
(transitive) To use (a right, an option, etc.); to put into practice.
The tenant exercised his option to renew the tenancy.
She is going to exercise her right to vote.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious.
exercised with pain
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Repetition of an activity to improve a skill.
He will need lots of practice with the lines before he performs them.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
(obsolete) To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
An organized event for the purpose of performing such repetition.
Being on a team is hard: you're always having to go to practice while everyone else is taking it easy.
I have choir practice every Sunday after church.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
The act of exercising; a setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use; habitual activity; occupation, in general; practice.
exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature.
O we will walk this world,Yoked in all exercise of noble end.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The ongoing pursuit of a craft or profession, particularly in medicine or the fine arts.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
Exertion for the sake of training or improvement whether physical, intellectual, or moral; practice to acquire skill, knowledge, virtue, perfectness, grace, etc.
An exercise of the eyes and memory.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
(countable) A place where a professional service is provided, such as a general practice.
She ran a thriving medical practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
Bodily exertion for the sake of keeping the organs and functions in a healthy state; hygienic activity; as, to take exercise on horseback; to exercise on a treadmill or in a gym.
The wise for cure on exercise depend.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The observance of religious duties that a church requires of its members.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
The performance of an office, a ceremony, or a religious duty.
Lewis refused even those of the church of England . . . the public exercise of their religion.
To draw him from his holy exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A customary action, habit, or behaviour; a manner or routine.
It is the usual practice of employees there to wear neckties only when meeting with customers.
It is good practice to check each door and window before leaving.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
That which is done for the sake of exercising, practicing, training, or promoting skill, health, mental, improvement, moral discipline, etc.; that which is assigned or prescribed for such ends; hence, a disquisition; a lesson; a task; as, military or naval exercises; musical exercises; an exercise in composition; arithmetic exercises.
The clumsy exercises of the European tourney.
He seems to have taken a degree, and performed public exercises in Cambridge, in 1565.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Actual operation or experiment, in contrast to theory.
That may work in theory, but will it work in practice?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
That which gives practice; a trial; a test.
Patience is more oft the exerciseOf saints, the trial of their fortitude.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
(legal) The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
This firm of solicitors is involved in family law practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to; to put in action habitually or constantly; to school or train; to exert repeatedly; to busy.
Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Skilful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; stratagem; artifice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop; hence, also, to improve by practice; to discipline, and to use or to for the purpose of training; as, to exercise arms; to exercise one's self in music; to exercise troops.
About him exercised heroic gamesThe unarmed youth.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
(math) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious; to affect; to discipline; as, exercised with pain.
Where pain of unextinguishable fireMust exercise us without hope of end.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To put in practice; to carry out in action; to perform the duties of; to use; to employ; to practice; as, to exercise authority; to exercise an office.
I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.
A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
To exercise one's self, as under military training; to drill; to take exercise; to use action or exertion; to practice gymnastics; as, to exercise for health or amusement.
I wear my trusty sword,When I do exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Customary or constant use; state of being used.
Obsolete words may be revived when they are more sounding or more significant than those in practice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit;
the doctor recommended regular exercise
he did some exercising
the physical exertion required by his work kept him fit
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
the act of using;
he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
skilled in the utilization of computers
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Actual performance; application of knowledge; - opposed to theory.
There are two functions of the soul, - contemplation and practice.
There is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice; each, to a certain extent, supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preceded theory.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
systematic training by multiple repetitions;
practice makes perfect
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding;
you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.
Practice is exercise of an art, or the application of a science in life, which application is itself an art.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
(usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches;
academic exercises
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; - usually in a bad sense.
He sought to have that by practice which he could not by prayer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
give a work-out to;
Some parents exercise their infants
My personal trainer works me hard
work one's muscles
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
learn by repetition;
We drilled French verbs every day
Pianists practice scales
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
An activity to develop or maintain a skill.
The teacher gave us a math exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
◉Practice
To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do.
As this advice ye practice or neglect.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Exercise
A process or activity carried out for a specific purpose.
The fire drill was a necessary exercise in safety.
Nolan
Sep 16, 2023
◉Practice
To make use of; to employ.
In malice to this good knight's wife, I practiced Ubaldo and Ricardo to corrupt her.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To teach or accustom by practice; to train.
In church they are taught to love God; after church they are practiced to love their neighbor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To learn by practice; to form a habit.
They shall practice how to live secure.
Practice first over yourself to reign.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To try artifices or stratagems.
He will practice against thee by poison.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.
[I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as little that others should practice on me.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
a customary way of operation or behavior;
it is their practice to give annual raises
they changed their dietary pattern
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
systematic training by multiple repetitions;
practice makes perfect
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
translating an idea into action;
a hard theory to put into practice
differences between theory and praxis of communism
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
the exercise of a profession;
the practice of the law
I took over his practice when he retired
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
knowledge of how something is usually done;
it is not the local practice to wear shorts to dinner
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
learn by repetition;
We drilled French verbs every day
Pianists practice scales
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
avail oneself to;
apply a principle
practice a religion
use care when going down the stairs
use your common sense
practice non-violent resistance
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Practice
To perform an activity repeatedly to improve.
She practices the piano every evening.
Henry
Sep 16, 2023
Exercise vs. Practice Frequently Asked Questions
Which term implies more repetition?
Practice inherently suggests regular repetition.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Can one "practice" their fitness routine?
Yes, but it often leans towards "exercise" if it's about health and fitness.
Nolan
Sep 16, 2023
Can practice be done without a specific goal?
Typically, practice implies an intent to improve or maintain a skill.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Do professionals like doctors "exercise"?
In their profession, they "practice" medicine, but they might "exercise" for fitness.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Is exercise always about physical activity?
No, exercise can refer to mental activities as well.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
Is every practice an exercise?
Not necessarily; practicing a speech isn't physical exercise.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Can you "exercise" a right or power?
Yes, to "exercise" can mean to make use of a right or power.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Is practicing meditation considered an exercise?
Meditation can be a mental exercise, but it's more commonly referred to as a practice.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
Which term is broader in scope?
Exercise is broader, encompassing physical, mental, and rights-related contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Does "practice" always indicate perfection?
No, practice aims at improvement, but perfection isn't guaranteed.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
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