possibility

[pos-uh-bil-i-tee]

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noun, plural pos·si·bil·i·ties for 2.

the state or fact of being possible: the possibility of error.

something possible: He had exhausted every possibility but one.

Origin of possibility

1325–75; Middle English possibilite < Late Latin possibilitās. See possible, -ity

Synonyms for possibility

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1. chance, prospect, likelihood, odds.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for possibilities

talent, promise, potentiality, prospects, capabilities

Examples from the Web for possibilities

Contemporary Examples of possibilities

Mr. Bachner stayed because he realized the city is filled with artisans and the possibilities fascinated him.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech
Liza Foreman
January 6, 2015
Parker left the place that he knew for the possibilities that he would not have had in the Texas of a generation ago.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
The possibilities seem endless: Who needs a trip to the liquor store when the toddler can turn water into wine, amirite?
Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror?
Candida Moss
December 21, 2014
The possibilities of the types of cuisine that can be made are endless once you turn pot into butter (or oil) to cook with.
Meet the Julia Child of Weed
Justin Jones
November 13, 2014
He produced for the airlines awaiting delivery of 747 fleets sketches of the possibilities.
The Sexy Dream of the 747
Clive Irving
October 26, 2014

Historical Examples of possibilities

They are valuable, but he can do but common things with them because he knows not their possibilities.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
They are barren, till the imagination has tenanted them with possibilities of danger and dismay.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
One could not help feeling that he had studied the possibilities, and felt the danger.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
She had studied much over the possibilities of this girl's costume.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Do you see the possibilities, or the certainties of failure?
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden

British Dictionary definitions for possibilities

possibility

noun plural -ties

the state or condition of being possible

anything that is possible

a competitor, candidate, etc, who has a moderately good chance of winning, being chosen, etc

(often plural) a future prospect or potentialmy new house has great possibilities

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for possibilities

possibility

late 14c., "condition of being possible," from Old French possibilité (13c.) and directly from Latin possibilitatem (nom. possibilitas) "possibility," from possibilis (see possible (adj.)). Meaning "a possible thing or substance" is from c.1400. Related: Possibilities.