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
Derived Forms
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plausiblyadverb
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overplausibleadjective
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superplausibleadjective
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unplausibleadjective
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overplausiblyadverb
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unplausiblyadverb
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overplausiblenessnoun
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plausiblenessnoun
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plausibilitynoun
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nonplausibleadjective
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unplausiblenessnoun
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superplausiblenessnoun
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superplausiblyadverb
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nonplausiblyadverb
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nonplausibilitynoun
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nonplausiblenessnoun
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.
Plausible, but it requires a coherent Iranian interlocutor capable of delivering a durable agreement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
"Plausible deniability is only plausible until it isn't," he posted on X.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026
Plausible as this argument may seem, I believe it is wrong.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025
Plausible, that is, for the era depicted a decade or so ago.
From Scientific American • Apr. 11, 2013
In the mean time Mrs Plausible did her part, as she extended her acquaintance with her neighbours.
From Newton Forster The Merchant Service by Marryat, Frederick
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.
