Word
plausible
Phoneticsplau·si·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɫɔzəbəɫ/
UK/plˈɔːzəbəl/
Definitions
01believable or reasonable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing an explanation or story that sounds like it could be true.
adj. seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; conceivably true.
“The police thought his story was plausible because it matched the security footage.”
“While the theory is certainly plausible, the research team requires more empirical data before they can confirm the results with absolute certainty.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02persuasive but possibly deceptive
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing someone who speaks well and sounds honest, but might be trying to trick you.
adj. superficially pleasing or persuasive; often used to describe a person or argument that sounds right but lacks depth or honesty.
“He was a plausible salesman, but I still didn't trust his promises.”
“The candidate offered a plausible defense of his actions, yet critics remained wary of his tendency to omit crucial details from the narrative.”
Synonyms
03praiseworthy
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adj. describing something that deserves to be clapped for or praised.
adj. worthy of being applauded or commended; ready for approval.
“The young scholar's efforts were deemed plausible by the elders of the village.”
“In the seventeenth-century text, the author describes the general's conduct as plausible, meaning it was deserving of public praise.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “plausible” in context.
Adjective
01. plausible explanation
“The detective is looking for a plausible explanation for how the thief entered the locked room.”
adj + noun
02. experience plausible
Real-World Examples
“What this research shows is that there is a plausible signal worth taking seriously, but not yet enough direct human evidence to draw a firm conclusion.” “Several different plausible curves may fit the data, but their predictions can still be similar between well-sampled points.” Etymology
From Latin plausibilis (“deserving applause, praiseworthy, acceptable, pleasing”), from the participle stem of plaudere (“to applaud”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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