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"Practice" is to develop a skill in general; "rehearse" is to prepare a specific performance.
Side-by-side comparison
To do something repeatedly to develop or maintain a skill. General and ongoing.
She practices piano for two hours every day without exception.
You should practice speaking English with native speakers as much as possible.
He practiced medicine for forty years before retiring.
To rehearse something specific (a play, a speech, a song) for a concrete performance or presentation.
The cast rehearsed for three months before the opening night.
She rehearsed her speech in front of the mirror a dozen times.
We need to rehearse the scene again. It still does not feel right.
Common mistake
- •"Practice" is the general process of developing a skill; "rehearse" is to prepare for a specific upcoming performance with an audience.
- •You can "practice" piano your whole life; you "rehearse" the Christmas concert the week before the event.
Trick to remember it
Is there a specific upcoming event with an audience or evaluation? "Rehearse." Is it general skill development without a concrete event? "Practice."
Quick rule
- •"Practice" = develop a skill in general.
- •"Rehearse" = prepare for a specific upcoming performance.
Did you know?
A "dress rehearsal" is the final rehearsal before a performance, done in full costume, scenery, and effects, as if it were the real show. In theater, a widespread superstition says "a bad dress rehearsal means a good opening night", it is positive psychology so actors do not get discouraged if the final rehearsal goes poorly. The word REHEARSE comes from Old French "rehercer" (to harrow again, to rake again), the image is of running a rake over soil repeatedly to prepare it perfectly for planting. That image of "going over the same ground repeatedly" perfectly captures what a rehearsal is.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She _____ d the piano piece for two hours every day before the concert.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The whole cast _____ d the play together on the stage for the first time yesterday.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
Both mean "to commence", but "start" is more everyday and physical; "begin" is more formal and used for processes.
"Do" is for individual sports and activities; "play" is for team sports and games with opponents.
"Study" is the activity of reviewing and preparing; "learn" is the result of having acquired knowledge or a skill.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy