Word
plausibly
Phoneticsplau·si·bly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɫɔzəbɫi/
UK/plˈɔːzəbli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that sounds true or believable, even if you are not completely sure. You use it when something could easily be true.
adv. in a way that appears believable or reasonable, without asserting certainty. Often introduces a tentative explanation or hypothesis.
Examples
“She plausibly says she forgets his name.”
“The student plausibly explains that his laptop died right before the deadline, so the teacher gives him extra time.”
“The historian plausibly traces the unrest to rising grain prices, though surviving records are too thin to prove the link beyond doubt.”
Examples
simple
“She plausibly says she forgets his name.”
contextual
“The student plausibly explains that his laptop died right before the deadline, so the teacher gives him extra time.”
complex
“The historian plausibly traces the unrest to rising grain prices, though surviving records are too thin to prove the link beyond doubt.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “plausibly” in context.
Verb
01. plausibly account for
“The manager could plausibly account for the missing funds.”
adverb + verb + prep
02. plausibly argue
“Legal scholars could plausibly argue that the treaty is still binding.”
adverb + verb
03. plausibly claim
“He could plausibly claim to have lost the documents.”
adverb + verb
04. plausibly explain
“She could plausibly explain the delay as a technical error.”
adverb + verb
05. plausibly pass as
“With training, she could plausibly pass as a native speaker.”
adverb + verb + prep
06. plausibly suggest
“Scientists can plausibly suggest a link between diet and memory.”
adverb + verb
Adjective
07. plausibly deniable
“The official kept a plausibly deniable link to the secret operation.”
adverb + adjective
08. plausibly innocent
“He wore a plausibly innocent expression during the questioning.”
adverb + adjective
09. could plausibly argue that
“Analysts could plausibly argue that inflation will fall next year.”
10. could plausibly claim to be
“He could plausibly claim to be an expert after years abroad.”
11. maintain plausibly deniable links
“Governments often maintain plausibly deniable links to proxy groups.”
12. pass plausibly as a native
“After months of practice, she can pass plausibly as a native speaker.”
Usage
Often placed before the main verb or at the start of a clause when offering a tentative explanation.
Real-World Examples
“The party could plausibly become a coalition partner in future right-wing government, meaning it may well incorporate the idea into any future coalition arrangement from within Spain's right-wing bloc.” “These coins could plausibly have been equivalent in value to a metric ton of iron, so it is possible that transactions of this scale were facilitated by increasing monetization during the La Tène period.” “That cannot plausibly be explained simply by whom we happen to hire.” “In the 13 years since, Scott has arguably done more than any man since Ian McKellen to refute the idea that publicly gay actors cannot plausibly play straight roles.” Etymology
From plausible + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/plausibly