ENGLISH
REFERENCE

impossible

n.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəɫ// UK //ɪmpˈɒsəbəl// im·pos·si·ble Archaic General-service Informal

n. something that cannot happen or be done. You use this to describe a task that is too difficult to finish.

n. incapable of occurring, being done, or existing. Often used to describe a person who is extremely difficult to deal with or a situation that offers no solution.


SIMPLE

It is impossible to walk on water.

CONTEXTUAL

The team faced an impossible deadline, but they managed to finish the project by working through the night.

COMPLEX

While the task seemed mathematically impossible at first glance, the engineers found a creative workaround that bypassed the physical limitations of the old hardware.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English impossible, equivalent to im- + possible.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb or is used in the pattern 'it is impossible to [verb]'.

Pitfall

more impossibleimpossibleImpossible is an absolute adjective; something is either impossible or it is not, so it usually does not have a comparative form.

© 2026 English Reference