possibility

[ pos-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural pos·si·bil·i·ties

1. the state or fact of being possible:

   the possibility of error.

   Synonyms: odds, likelihood, prospect, chance

2. something possible:

   He had exhausted every possibility but one.

possibility

/ ˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being possible
2. anything that is possible
3. a competitor, candidate, etc, who has a moderately good chance of winning, being chosen, etc
4. often plural a future prospect or potential

   my new house has great possibilities

Word History and Origins

Origin of possibility¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English possibilite, from Late Latin possibilitās, from Latin possibil(is) possible + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Another possibility is that SARS-CoV-2 is impacting the heart muscle in a way that cardiologists aren’t accustomed to, absent some of the usual signs of inflammation and stress.

From Science News

As the elevator rose, Jody Potts wondered at the possibilities.

From ProPublica

The name you’ll hear thrown around as a possibility to replace him is Chris Paul, who has a pricey deal but is on an Oklahoma City team that may be ready to fully pivot toward its youth movement.

From FiveThirtyEight

While the watch was not perfectly accurate in my case, it still opens up the possibility for wheelchair users to improve their health outcomes.

From FiveThirtyEight

Right now the project is in its first version, but Thio already sees more possibilities.

From MIT Technology Review

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

From The Daily Beast

In a romantic relationship, facing humiliation or awkwardness is a strong possibility.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

"Yes, as there seems no possibility of making any more mistakes on our way, you are free," replied the gravest of the two.

From Project Gutenberg

All possibility of a general increase of wages depended on the relation of available capital to the numbers of the working men.

From Project Gutenberg

The Berlin exchange, while war was as yet only a dreaded possibility, rose from 20 m. 50 pf.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of those who are not on pay escape to India and other regions, without any possibility of avoiding it.

From Project Gutenberg

It was still in the verge of possibility that his son might seek his father in that dismal chamber.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• action
• circumstance
• hazard
• hope
• incident
• opportunity
• probability
• prospect
• risk