possibility

[pos-uh-bil-i-tee]

See more synonyms for possibility on Thesaurus.com

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

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1. chance, prospect, likelihood, odds.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for possibility

Contemporary Examples

The possibility that the same outcome could happen another way -- namely a guy asks me out -- keeps me from taking action.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating
Ellie Schaack
January 1, 2015
This suggests that places combining—but also maintaining—place and possibility have a lot to offer people.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
This is a testament to the fundamental human—and American—desire to combine place and possibility.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
But the way that Texas combines place and possibility will not be appealing to everyone.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
According to League, Alamo Drafthouse was actively working with Sony on Monday on the possibility of screening The Interview.
The Inside Story of How Sony’s ‘The Interview’ Finally Made It to Theaters
Marlow Stern
December 23, 2014

Historical Examples

But things are unbearable just until we have them to bear; their possibility comes with them.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
Difficulties to conquer can only exist side by side with the possibility of not conquering them.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
I almost think he was unaware of the possibility of doing otherwise.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
She could not allude to such things without at least a possibility of response.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
Then it would be doubly hard to Mart to have had the possibility suggested.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden

British Dictionary definitions for possibility

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 possibility

n.

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.

possibility

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Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for possibility

Contemporary Examples

The possibility that the same outcome could happen another way -- namely a guy asks me out -- keeps me from taking action.

This suggests that places combining—but also maintaining—place and possibility have a lot to offer people.

This is a testament to the fundamental human—and American—desire to combine place and possibility.

But the way that Texas combines place and possibility will not be appealing to everyone.

According to League, Alamo Drafthouse was actively working with Sony on Monday on the possibility of screening The Interview.

Historical Examples

But things are unbearable just until we have them to bear; their possibility comes with them.

Difficulties to conquer can only exist side by side with the possibility of not conquering them.

I almost think he was unaware of the possibility of doing otherwise.

She could not allude to such things without at least a possibility of response.

Then it would be doubly hard to Mart to have had the possibility suggested.

possibility

Word Origin and History for possibility

n.

Origin of possibility