Word
probable
Phoneticsprob·a·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹɑbəbəɫ/
UK/pɹˈɒbəbəl/
Definitions
01likely to be true
B1 · Intermediate
adj. likely to be true or to have happened based on the evidence.
adj. supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof.
Español:probable
“The most probable cause of the fire was an old heater.”
“Given the available forensic evidence, the most probable explanation is that the document was altered after it was signed.”
Antonyms
02likely to happen
B1 · Intermediate
adj. expected to happen in the future.
adj. having a high probability of occurring.
“It is probable that the price of petrol will go up next month.”
“Economists suggest that a modest recovery is probable by the third quarter, provided that interest rates remain stable.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a likely candidate
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal
n. a person who is expected to be chosen for a team or a job.
n. a person considered likely to achieve a certain status, such as selection for a sports team.
“After the final practice, he was listed as a probable for the national team.”
“The coach spent the afternoon narrowing down the list of probables, eventually selecting twenty players for the summer tour.”
Antonyms
04a likely event
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. something that is very likely to occur.
n. an event or outcome that is highly likely to happen.
“In the world of business, we must plan for every probable.”
“The risk assessment team moved the project from the category of 'possibles' to 'probables' following the latest market survey.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “probable” in context.
Verb
01. consider it probable
“Most experts consider it probable that the technology will be obsolete in five years.”
verb + noun + adj
02. seem probable
“It didn't seem probable that he could finish the marathon in under three hours.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. probable cause
“The police officer stated there was probable cause to search the vehicle.”
adj + noun
04. probable outcome
“Analysts are debating the most probable outcome of the upcoming election.”
adj + noun
05. probable that-clause
“It is probable that the team will win the championship this year.”
adj + that-clause
Adverb
06. entirely probable
“It is entirely probable that the meeting will be postponed until next week.”
adv + adj
07. highly probable
“Given the current economic climate, a rise in interest rates seems highly probable.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Instead of asking people to consider whether a concept is probable, it gets them thinking about what might be possible.” “The International Agency for Research on Cancer labels it a probable carcinogen .” Etymology
From Middle English probable, from Old French probable, from Latin probābilis (“that may be proved, credible”), from probāre (“to test, examine”); see probe, probity, prove. Compare recent doublet provable.
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/probable
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0