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possible

/ˈpɑsəbəl/

/ˈpɒsəbəl/

Other forms: possibles

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!

Definitions of possible
  1. adjective
    capable of happening or existing
    “a breakthrough may be possible next year”
    “anything is possible
    “warned of possible consequences”
    Synonyms:
    likely
    having a good chance of being the case or of coming about
    accomplishable, achievable, doable, manageable, realizable
    capable of existing or taking place or proving true; possible to do
    affirmable, assertable
    capable of being affirmed or asserted
    attainable, come-at-able
    capable of being attained or accomplished
    contingent
    possible but not certain to occur
    executable, feasible, practicable, viable, workable
    capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
    mathematical
    statistically possible though highly improbable
    practical
    concerned with actual use or practice
    realistic
    aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
    thinkable
    capable of being conceived or imagined or considered
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    impossible
    not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
    hopeless
    without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
    hopeless
    certain to fail
    impracticable, infeasible, unfeasible, unworkable
    not capable of being carried out or put into practice
    out
    not worth considering as a possibility
    unachievable, unattainable, undoable, unrealizable
    impossible to achieve
    impractical
    not practical; not workable or not given to practical matters
    unrealistic
    not realistic
    insurmountable, unsurmountable
    not capable of being surmounted or overcome
    unthinkable
    incapable of being conceived or considered
    show more antonyms...
  2. adjective
    existing in possibility
    possible uses of nuclear power”
    synonyms: potential
    latent
    potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    actual, existent
    presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
    effective
    existing in fact; not theoretical; real
    show more antonyms...
  3. noun
    something that can be done
    “politics is the art of the possible
    see moresee less
    type of:
    opening, possibility, possible action
    a possible alternative
  4. noun
    an applicant who might be suitable
    see moresee less
    type of:
    applicant, applier
    a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
Pronunciation
US

/ˈpɑsəbəl/

UK

/ˈpɒsəbəl/

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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘possible'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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