plausible
Americanadjective
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apparently reasonable, valid, truthful, etc
a plausible excuse
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apparently trustworthy or believable
a plausible speaker
Synonym Usage
Plausible, specious describe that which has the appearance of truth but might be deceptive. The person or thing that is plausible strikes the superficial judgment favorably; it may or may not be true: a plausible argument (one that cannot be verified or believed in entirely). Specious definitely implies deceit or falsehood; the surface appearances are quite different from what is beneath: a specious pretense of honesty; a specious argument (one deliberately deceptive, probably for selfish or evil purposes).
Other Word Forms
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nonplausibilitynoun
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nonplausiblenessnoun
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overplausiblenessnoun
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plausibilitynoun
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plausiblenessnoun
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superplausiblenessnoun
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unplausiblenessnoun
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nonplausibleadjective
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overplausibleadjective
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superplausibleadjective
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unplausibleadjective
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nonplausiblyadverb
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overplausiblyadverb
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plausiblyadverb
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superplausiblyadverb
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unplausiblyadverb
Etymology
Origin of plausible
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin plausibilis “deserving applause,” equivalent to plaus(us) (past participle of plaudere “to applaud” + -ibilis adjective suffix; see origin at applaud, -ible
Compare meaning
How does plausible compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If something is plausible, it's reasonable or believable. Things that are plausible could easily happen. A child learning to ride a bike is plausible. A giraffe doing it is not. Plausible things are not far-fetched at all. Things in fantasy stories — such as wizards, dragons, and unicorns — are not plausible. On the other hand, some things in science fiction stories might be plausible: who knows where spaceships will eventually go? If something really seems like it could happen, then it's plausible. One of the many tricky parts of life is figuring out what's plausible and what's not.
Vocabulary lists containing plausible
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Grade 9, List 6
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Word Generation Science - Scientific Thinking
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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.
A more plausible reason for the Sussexes’ unexpected English retreat may be related to the health of Prince Harry’s father, King Charles III, with whom Harry reunited in July.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
But I do believe to effectively assemble a thriller, a writer must contemplate all that is possible in the present to realistically construct what dark, fearful deeds are plausible in the future.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
He was ultimately the only plausible option for voters worried that Hong’s controversies risked blowing the general election and ended up eking it out by less than half a percentage point.
From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2026
The link between strength training and brain health is newer and less certain, but plausible.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026
The possibility that Gregor might fail made the whole prophecy more plausible.
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
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.
