impossible

[im-pos-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.

2. unable to be done, performed, effected, etc..

   an impossible assignment.

3. incapable of being true, as a rumor.

4. not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety.

   an impossible situation.

5. utterly impracticable.

   an impossible plan.

6. hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.

   Synonyms: unmanageable, intolerable, unbearable

impossible

/ ɪmˈpɒsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being done, undertaken, or experienced

2. incapable of occurring or happening

3. absurd or inconceivable; unreasonable

   it's impossible to think of him as a bishop

4. informal,  intolerable; outrageous

   those children are impossible

Other Word Forms

• impossibleness noun
• impossibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impossible¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word impossibilis. See im- ², possible

Example Sentences

It’s often impossible to prove a negative, but the latest report is yet another one suggesting that this big pot of gold just doesn’t exist — and never did.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Maybe all that the government is doing will make it better, but it’s impossible for the old way of life we had here to return,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now trading is done on Facebook or on WhatsApp groups and in a way that makes formal identification hard or impossible.

Read more on BBC

"At this stage joint hosting is not impossible," the official said, noting that plans were still at an early stage and would first have to be approved by both governments.

Read more on Barron's

“But right now it’s practically and legally impossible.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• absurd 
• futile 
• hopeless 
• impassable 
• impractical 
• inaccessible 
• inconceivable 
• insurmountable 
• preposterous 
• unattainable 
• unimaginable 
• unreasonable 
• unthinkable 
• unworkable 
• useless