possibly
- 01 A2 Elementary
used to say that something might be true or might happen.
indicates that a proposition is potentially true or that an event is likely to occur, though certainty is absent.
Simple“It will possibly rain this afternoon, so you should take an umbrella.”
In context“The archaeological team suggested that the ruins could possibly date back to the Bronze Age, though carbon dating is required for confirmation.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
used with 'can' or 'could' to emphasize if something is able to be done.
used to indicate the limits of ability or feasibility, often appearing in negative constructions or questions to emphasize difficulty.
Simple“I cannot possibly finish all this work before the weekend.”
In context“The director wondered how the crew could possibly manage such a complex set change in under three minutes without compromising safety.”
UsageOften follows 'can', 'could', or 'cannot' for emphasis.
Synonymsat allby any means
possibly vs eventually — Eventually means something will happen after a long time or a series of delays, while possibly means something might happen but is not certain.
Usage possibly due · possibly linked · possibly influence
From possible + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.