English Reference
Word adjective · noun

possible

adj. · n.
US /ˈpɑsəbəɫ/ UK /pˈɒsəbəl/ pos·si·ble
Definition
  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    adj.able to be done or achieved.

    adj.capable of being effected, accomplished, or carried out; feasible.

    Simple

    “It is possible to finish the project by Friday if we work hard.”

    In context

    “The engineering team concluded that while the design was ambitious, it was technically possible within the current budget constraints.”

    Synonyms
    feasibleachievabledoable
    Antonyms
    impossible
  2. 02 A1 Beginner

    adj.something that might happen but is not certain.

    adj.able to happen or exist; neither certain nor impossible.

    Simple

    “Snow is possible later tonight, so please drive carefully.”

    In context

    “Meteorologists warned that a severe storm was possible, though the exact path of the front remained difficult to predict.”

    Synonyms
    potentiallikelyprobable
    Antonyms
    certainimpossible
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.seeming like it could be true.

    adj.having the appearance of truth or reality; plausible.

    Simple

    “That is a possible explanation for why the machine stopped working.”

    In context

    “The detective considered every possible motive, eventually focusing on the suspect's financial history as the most likely catalyst for the crime.”

    Synonyms
    plausiblebelievablecredible
    Antonyms
    implausibleunlikely
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Informal

    n.a person or thing that is being considered for a job or position.

    n.a person or thing that is a potential candidate or choice for a specific role.

    Simple

    “We have three strong possibles for the new manager position.”

    In context

    “After the first round of interviews, the committee narrowed the field down to two possibles who both demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.”

    Usage

    Usually refers to people in a recruitment or selection context.

    Synonyms
    candidateprospect

Usage possible explanation · possible explanations · possible to use

Etymology

From Middle English possible, from Old French possible, from Latin possibilis (“possible”), from posse, possum (“to be able”); see power. Displaced Middle English acumendlic (“possible”), from Old English ācumendlīċ (“possible”). Compare also Old English mihtelīċ (“strong, capable, powerful, possible”), which was cognate with Old High German mahtlīh (“possible”) and Old Norse máttulígr (“mighty, possible”). Compare also Dutch mogelijk (“possible”) and German möglich (“possible”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin possibilis
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated