# possible

/ˈpɑsəbəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɒsəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/possible
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. able to be done

adjective · CEFR A1

able to be done or achieved.

For teachers: capable of being effected, accomplished, or carried out; feasible.

- It is possible to finish the project by Friday if we work hard.
- The engineering team concluded that while the design was ambitious, it was technically possible within the current budget constraints.

### 2. might happen

adjective · CEFR A1

something that might happen but is not certain.

For teachers: able to happen or exist; neither certain nor impossible.

- Snow is possible later tonight, so please drive carefully.
- Meteorologists warned that a severe storm was possible, though the exact path of the front remained difficult to predict.

### 3. plausible

adjective · CEFR B2

seeming like it could be true.

For teachers: having the appearance of truth or reality; plausible.

- That is a possible explanation for why the machine stopped working.
- The detective considered every possible motive, eventually focusing on the suspect's financial history as the most likely catalyst for the crime.

### 4. a potential candidate

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

For teachers: a person or thing that is a potential candidate or choice for a specific role.

- We have three strong possibles for the new manager position.
- 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.

## Examples

- It is possible to finish the work today.
- The weather forecast says rain is possible this afternoon, so you should bring an umbrella just in case.
- While a complete recovery is medically possible, the patient will require several months of intensive physical therapy to regain full mobility in their leg.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.