conceivably
Americanadverb
-
as an outside chance; in a way that is possible, though not likely.
-
in a way that is possible to conceive or imagine.
Explanation
Use the adverb conceivably when you're talking about something that is believable or possible. You could say, for example, that you'll conceivably still be on time to work after oversleeping, especially if you skip breakfast. You might tell your sister that you could conceivably go on every single ride at the state fair in an hour, if you move quickly and don't stop to eat fried dough. You could also say that your favorite baseball team might conceivably win the World Series next year. Conceivably comes from its adjective form, conceivable, and both words are rooted in the Latin concipere, which means "take in, hold, or grasp" and also "become pregnant."
Vocabulary lists containing conceivably
The Giver
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Fault in Our Stars
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
If Sabalenka against Osaka did not take place under the lights, then which women's match would conceivably ever be picked?
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
I suppose one can come up with a narrative for why such outside activities conceivably could benefit a company whose CEO is a “superstar.”
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 16, 2026
Since the 1990s, astronomers have definitively found thousands of such exoplanets, other destinations to which we might conceivably “disperse.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
Joan’s decision should conceivably be easy; obviously, you’d choose to spend eternity with the person you were married to for six decades as opposed to someone you were married to for a blip.
From Salon ● Nov. 27, 2025
From what microbes could they conceivably have evolved?
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
