conceivable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of conceivable
Explanation
If you see yellowish skies on a humid, spring evening in Kansas, it is entirely conceivable that a tornado is in the making. That is to say, it's imaginable or even possible, so make sure you take every conceivable precaution. If you conceive of something, you imagine or think of it. So, it makes sense that the adjective conceivable describes things that can be imagined or thought of. People often use the word conceivable in extreme contexts. If you look everywhere for your homework but still can't find it, you might declare, "I searched in every conceivable location! My homework must have disappeared." In response, your teacher might remark that disappearing homework is inconceivable, or "impossible to imagine."
Vocabulary lists containing conceivable
Ungifted
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 6
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Hard Times
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It remains entirely conceivable that our mid-year forecast of the 4.5% area is very achievable, but for now we’re undeniably looking up in yield, and we remain in an overshoot tendency,” he said.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
The trial is big by every conceivable measure.
From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026
There’s also the much more fiercely debated trend of cataloging micro-aesthetics—sorting every conceivable vibe into named categories like “dark academia” or “coastal grandmother,” each with its own dress code and playlist.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Asked when the vote could be held, he said it was "perfectly conceivable to have a second referendum by 2028".
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
Dr. Alexander feels that any conceivable use of such chemicals in insect control would be “open to the most severe objections.”
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
