practically family

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically family" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a close relationship between people who are not related by blood but share a strong bond, often akin to that of family. Example: "After spending so many holidays together, we feel like we're practically family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Kennedy was practically family.

The New York Times

That's practically family.

The New York Times - Magazine

The stars were also practically family.

The New York Times

He's practically family now; the twins were flower girls in his wedding.

The New Yorker

As in other small towns across the United States, people here say neighbors are practically family, even in the good times.

The New York Times

He considers Mr. DeLouya practically family and has brought his own to the salon, including his son, Benjamin Lerer, a founder of the Web site Thrillist, for his first haircut at age 3.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Melvin and Marriott families are practically household names in Nova Scotia, infamous for a long and violent feud in a rough-ish suburb of Halifax called Spryfield, which I previously wrote 4,000 words about here.

Vice

The child who came to be known as Case No. 95-2011-00009 was the fourth born into a home where abuse and neglect were practically a family tradition.

The New York Times

Hitler became practically a family member, a frequent visitor who was very close to the Goebbels children, all of whom had names beginning with H.

The Guardian - Books

The recent run-up in energy prices is rippling across the American economy and affecting practically every family and business as it becomes more expensive to heat a home, refuel an automobile or buy an airline ticket.

The New York Times

"Practically every family we know has at least one person out of work, about to be out of work, or unsuccessfully freelancing," she wrote, "while the other party is really miserable about being overworked and overrelied upon to support the family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically family" to describe relationships where a deep emotional connection exists, even without a blood relation.

Common error

Avoid using "practically family" if the connection is superficial. Reserve it for relationships marked by genuine care and mutual support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically family" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a close, familial-like relationship. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a common way to express deep connection without actual blood ties. The examples provided by Ludwig show how it qualifies the strength of a bond between people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically family" is a useful way to describe deep, familial-like connections between people who are not related by blood or law. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, although the phrase is more common in news and media contexts. When using "practically family", it is important to ensure the relationship has genuine care and mutual support that can convey a sense of intimacy and belonging. In more formal settings, alternatives like "close associate" or describing the nature of the relationship may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially family

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the familial bond, suggesting it's integral.

basically family

Highlights a foundational similarity to family, focusing on core aspects.

virtually family

Indicates a closeness that is almost, but not quite, the same as being actual family.

almost family

Signifies a relationship that is very close to being a family bond, but not formally so.

like family

A common and straightforward way to express that someone is treated as a member of the family.

as good as family

Suggests a level of care, support, and connection equivalent to that within a family.

close as kin

Focuses on the intimacy and shared history typically associated with close relatives.

part of the inner circle

Highlights inclusion and acceptance within a tight-knit group or family unit.

considered one of us

Emphasizes the acceptance and belonging experienced within a group or family.

an honorary member of the family

Highlights the symbolic inclusion of someone who isn't a blood relative.

FAQs

How can I use "practically family" in a sentence?

You can use "practically family" to describe someone who is not a relative but shares a very close relationship with you, like "After all these years, my neighbor is "practically family"".

What's a good alternative to "practically family"?

Alternatives to "practically family" include "like family", "as good as family", or "close as kin", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "practically family" in formal writing?

While "practically family" is widely understood, it leans towards informal language. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "a close associate" or describing the specific nature of the relationship for clarity.

What's the difference between "practically family" and "actually family"?

"Actually family" denotes a blood relation or legal connection, while "practically family" describes a strong, familial-like bond without being related by blood or law. It means someone is "like family".