probable
Americanadjective
-
likely to occur or prove true.
He foresaw a probable business loss. He is the probable writer of the article.
-
having more evidence for than against, or evidence that inclines the mind to belief but leaves some room for doubt.
-
affording ground for belief.
adjective
-
likely to be or to happen but not necessarily so
-
most likely
the probable cause of the accident
noun
Other Word Forms
- nonprobable adjective
- nonprobably adverb
- quasi-probable adjective
- quasi-probably adverb
Etymology
Origin of probable
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin probābilis likely, literally, capable of standing a test, equivalent to probā ( re ) to test ( probe ) + -bilis -ble
Compare meaning
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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.
The agency said it expected some "probable cases" to be downgraded in the coming days.
From BBC
It is highly probable the systems themselves were damaged, although it is not possible to gauge the extent.
From BBC
In February, the CDC confirmed 28 infant botulism and 20 cases of probable infant botulism linked to the formula.
From Salon
Health officials in Northern Ireland have reassured parents that a probable case of bacterial meningitis is not related to the ongoing outbreak in England.
From BBC
A ranking administration official warned that a gas shortage was “not certain but probable.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
