Word
possibly
Phoneticspos·si·bly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɑsəbɫi/
UK/pˈɒsəbli/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01perhaps
A2 · Elementary
adv. used to say that something might be true or might happen.
adv. indicates that a proposition is potentially true or that an event is likely to occur, though certainty is absent.
日本語:もしかすると※
“It will possibly rain this afternoon, so you should take an umbrella.”
“The archaeological team suggested that the ruins could possibly date back to the Bronze Age, though carbon dating is required for confirmation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02ability or feasibility
B1 · Intermediate
adv. used with 'can' or 'could' to emphasize if something is able to be done.
adv. used to indicate the limits of ability or feasibility, often appearing in negative constructions or questions to emphasize difficulty.
日本語:とうてい※
“I cannot possibly finish all this work before the weekend.”
“The director wondered how the crew could possibly manage such a complex set change in under three minutes without compromising safety.”
Usage
Often follows 'can', 'could', or 'cannot' for emphasis.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “possibly” in context.
Verb
01. possibly influence
“The new law could possibly influence how people choose to travel to work.”
adv + verb
02. possibly reflect
“These survey results might possibly reflect a change in public opinion.”
adv + verb
03. possibly due
04. possibly linked
Confusables
Eventually means something will happen after a long time or a series of delays, while possibly means something might happen but is not certain.
RememberEventually = finally. Possibly = maybe.
Etymology
From possible + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/possibly
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0