possible

American  

[pos-uh-buhl] / ˈpɒs ə bəl /

adjective

1. that may or can be, exist, happen, be done, be used, etc..

   a disease with no possible cure.

2. that may be true or may be the case, as something concerning which one has no knowledge to the contrary.

   It is possible that he has already gone.

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possible British  

/ ˈpɒsɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of existing, taking place, or proving true without contravention of any natural law

2. capable of being achieved

   it is not possible to finish in three weeks

3. having potential or capabilities for favourable use or development

   the idea is a possible money-spinner

4. that may or may not happen or have happened; feasible but less than probable

   it is possible that man will live on Mars

5. logic (of a statement, formula, etc) capable of being true under some interpretation, or in some circumstances. Usual symbol: Mp or ◇ p , where p is the given expression

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noun

1. another word for possibility

possible Idioms  

1. see as far as possible; as soon as possible.

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Usage

Although it is very common to talk about something being very possible or more possible, these uses are generally thought to be incorrect, since possible describes an absolute state, and therefore something can only be possible or not possible: it is very likely (not very possible ) that he will resign; it has now become easier (not more possible ) to obtain an entry visa

Related Words

Possible, feasible, practicable refer to that which may come about or take place without prevention by serious obstacles. That which is possible is naturally able or even likely to happen, other circumstances being equal: Discovery of a new source of plutonium may be possible. Feasible refers to the ease with which something can be done and implies a high degree of desirability for doing it: This plan is the most feasible. Practicable applies to that which can be done with the means that are at hand and with conditions as they are: We ascended the slope as far as was practicable.

Other Word Forms

• nonpossible adjective

Etymology

Origin of possible

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin possibilis “that may be done,” equivalent to poss(e) “to be able” ( see posse) + -ibilis -ible

Compare meaning

How does possible compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• plausible vs. possible
• probable vs. possible

Explanation

Something that’s possible is something that can happen, something that can be done, or something capable of existing. You can use possible to talk about anything that might happen. If you work really hard for a test, and you show you know the material, it’s possible that you’ll get an A. For a really hard problem like inventing a car that doesn’t use gas, you’ll need to pursue many possible solutions. If you write science fiction, you like to imagine possible worlds. Anything is possible, if you just put your mind to it!

Example Sentences

The letter, published on the zoo's Instagram account, said "at the heart of this proposal is Vantara's belief that every life matters and that we have a shared responsibility to protect life wherever possible".

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

EU nations are trying to boost refinery production as much as possible, and in some cases boost production of diesel and jet fuel for which the bloc depends on imports.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The common goal is to get into the best school possible and pay the least for it.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Large language models enable unstructured as well as structured data to be extracted and quality-controlled in real-time in a way that wasn’t possible before, said Paradigm founder and Chief Executive Kent Thoelke.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

I sit, watching but not watching life go on around me, wondering how it’s possible when someone so important just died.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• achievable
• available
• conceivable
• desirable
• feasible
• imaginable
• potential
• probable
• viable