possible
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pos·si·ble
(pŏs′ə-bəl)adj.
1. Capable of happening, existing, or being true without contradicting proven facts, laws, or circumstances: Is it possible to move faster than the speed of light?
2. Capable of becoming or of being made to be so; potential: possible suspects in the case; a possible site for the new capital.
3. Capable of occurring or being done in accordance with something specified. Used with the superlative: You'll get the best possible care at this hospital.
4. Capable of happening but of uncertain likelihood: It is possible that you might feel some discomfort after the procedure.
5. Permissible: Is it possible to enter the gallery at this hour?
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin possibilis, from posse, to be able; see poti- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: possible, workable, practicable, feasible, viable
These adjectives mean capable of occurring or being done. Possible indicates that something may happen, exist, be true, or be realizable: "I made out a list of questions and possible answers" (Mary Roberts Rinehart).
Workable is used of something that can be put into effective operation: If the scheme is workable, how will you implement it? Something that is practicable is capable of being effected, done, or put into practice: "As soon as it was practicable, he would wind up his business" (George Eliot).
Feasible refers to what can be accomplished, brought about, or carried out: Making cars by hand is possible but not economically feasible. Viable implies having the capacity for continuing effectiveness or success: "How viable are the ancient legends as vehicles for modern literary themes?" (Richard Kain).
These adjectives mean capable of occurring or being done. Possible indicates that something may happen, exist, be true, or be realizable: "I made out a list of questions and possible answers" (Mary Roberts Rinehart).
Workable is used of something that can be put into effective operation: If the scheme is workable, how will you implement it? Something that is practicable is capable of being effected, done, or put into practice: "As soon as it was practicable, he would wind up his business" (George Eliot).
Feasible refers to what can be accomplished, brought about, or carried out: Making cars by hand is possible but not economically feasible. Viable implies having the capacity for continuing effectiveness or success: "How viable are the ancient legends as vehicles for modern literary themes?" (Richard Kain).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
possible
(ˈpɒsɪbəl)adj
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) 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
n
another word for possibility3
[C14: from Latin possibilis that may be, from posse to be able, have power]
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
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pos•si•ble
(ˈpɒs ə bəl)adj.
1. that may or can exist, happen, be done, be used, etc.: a possible cure.
2. that may be true or may be the case: It is possible that she has left.
syn: 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 likely to happen, other circumstances being equal: He offered a possible compromise. feasible refers to the ease with which something can be done and implies a high degree of desirability for doing it: Which plan is the most feasible? practicable applies to that which can be done with the means at hand and with conditions as they are: We ascended the slope as far as was practicable.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
possible
– possibly1. 'possible'
Possible is an adjective. If something is possible, it can be done or achieved.
It is possible for us to measure the amount of rain.
Some improvement may be possible.
Possible is often used in expressions such as as soon as possible and as much as possible. If you do something as soon as possible, you do it as soon as you can.
I like to know as much as possible about my patients.
He sat as far away from me as possible.
Be Careful!
Don't say 'as soon as possibly'.
You also use possible to say that something may be true or correct.
It is possible that he made a mistake.
That's one possible answer.
2. 'possibly'
Possibly is an adverb. You use possibly to show that you are not sure about something.
Television is possibly to blame for this.
She is always cheerful, which is possibly why people like her.
You also use possibly when you are asking someone to do something in a very polite way. For example, you say 'Could you possibly carry this for me?'
Could you possibly meet me there tomorrow at ten?
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  possible - something that can be done; "politics is the art of the possible"possible action, possibility, opening - a possible alternative; "bankruptcy is always a possibility" |
| 2. | possible - an applicant who might be suitable | |
| Adj. | 1. | possible - capable of happening or existing; "a breakthrough may be possible next year"; "anything is possible"; "warned of possible consequences" likely - has a good chance of being the case or of coming about; "these services are likely to be available to us all before long"; "she is likely to forget"; "a likely place for a restaurant"; "the broken limb is likely to fall"; "rain is likely"; "a likely topic for investigation"; "likely candidates for the job" practical - concerned with actual use or practice; "he is a very practical person"; "the idea had no practical application"; "a practical knowledge of Japanese"; "woodworking is a practical art" realistic - aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are; "a realistic description"; "a realistic view of the possibilities"; "a realistic appraisal of our chances"; "the actors tried to create a realistic portrayal of the Africans" thinkable - capable of being conceived or imagined or considered impossible - not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with; "an impossible dream"; "an impossible situation" |
| 2. | possible - existing in possibility; "a potential problem"; "possible uses of nuclear power" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
possible
adjective
1. feasible, viable, workable, achievable, within reach, on (informal), practicable, attainable, doable, realizable, Po$Ebl (S.M.S.) Everything is possible if we want it enough.
feasible impossible, unreasonable, unobtainable, impracticable, unfeasible
feasible impossible, unreasonable, unobtainable, impracticable, unfeasible
2. likely, potential, anticipated, probable, odds-on, on the cards, Po$Ebl (S.M.S.) One possible solution is to take legal action.
likely impossible, improbable
likely impossible, improbable
3. conceivable, likely, credible, plausible, hypothetical, imaginable, believable, thinkable, Po$Ebl (S.M.S.) It's just possible that he was trying to put me off the trip.
conceivable impossible, unlikely, incredible, unthinkable, inconceivable, unimaginable
conceivable impossible, unlikely, incredible, unthinkable, inconceivable, unimaginable
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
possible
adjective1. Capable of occurring or being done:
Idiom: within reach.
3. Having a chance of happening or being true:
4. Capable of being anticipated, considered, or imagined:
Idioms: humanly possible, within the bounds of possibility.
5. Capable of favorable development:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
possible
[ˈpɒsəbl]A. ADJ
1. (= feasible) → posible
she scored seven points out of a possible nine → obtuvo siete puntos de los nueve posibles
will it be possible for me to leave early? → ¿hay algún inconveniente en que me vaya antes de la hora?
as ... as possible try to make the lesson as interesting as possible → trata de que la lección sea lo más interesante posible
you must practise as much as possible → debes practicar todo lo que puedas or todo lo posible
as soon as possible → cuanto antes, lo antes posible
we provide the best possible accommodation for our students → nuestros estudiantes disponen del mejor de los alojamientos
if (at all) possible → si es posible, a ser posible
to make sth possible improvements made possible by new technology → mejoras fpl que la nueva tecnología ha hecho posible
he made it possible for me to go to Spain → gracias a él pude ir a España
the new legislation would make it possible for alcohol to be sold on Sundays → la nueva legislación posibilitaría la venta de alcohol los domingos
I meant it in the nicest possible way → lo dije con la mejor de las intenciones
we will help whenever possible → ayudaremos siempre y cuando sea posible, ayudaremos siempre que podamos
where possible, wherever possible → donde sea posible
they have joined the job market at the worst possible time → se han incorporado al mercado de trabajo en el peor momento posible or en el peor de los momentos
see also world A1
see also as C
see also far A2
she scored seven points out of a possible nine → obtuvo siete puntos de los nueve posibles
will it be possible for me to leave early? → ¿hay algún inconveniente en que me vaya antes de la hora?
as ... as possible try to make the lesson as interesting as possible → trata de que la lección sea lo más interesante posible
you must practise as much as possible → debes practicar todo lo que puedas or todo lo posible
as soon as possible → cuanto antes, lo antes posible
we provide the best possible accommodation for our students → nuestros estudiantes disponen del mejor de los alojamientos
if (at all) possible → si es posible, a ser posible
to make sth possible improvements made possible by new technology → mejoras fpl que la nueva tecnología ha hecho posible
he made it possible for me to go to Spain → gracias a él pude ir a España
the new legislation would make it possible for alcohol to be sold on Sundays → la nueva legislación posibilitaría la venta de alcohol los domingos
I meant it in the nicest possible way → lo dije con la mejor de las intenciones
we will help whenever possible → ayudaremos siempre y cuando sea posible, ayudaremos siempre que podamos
where possible, wherever possible → donde sea posible
they have joined the job market at the worst possible time → se han incorporado al mercado de trabajo en el peor momento posible or en el peor de los momentos
see also world A1
see also as C
see also far A2
3. (= conceivable) → posible
what possible motive could she have? → ¿qué motivo puede tener?
there is no possible excuse for his behaviour → su comportamiento no tiene excusa que valga
it is possible that he'll come → es posible que venga, puede (ser) que venga
it's just possible he may still be there → existe una pequeña posibilidad de que siga allí
what possible motive could she have? → ¿qué motivo puede tener?
there is no possible excuse for his behaviour → su comportamiento no tiene excusa que valga
it is possible that he'll come → es posible que venga, puede (ser) que venga
it's just possible he may still be there → existe una pequeña posibilidad de que siga allí
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
possible
(ˈposəbl) adjective1. able to happen or be done. It's possible that the train will be delayed; We'll come as soon as possible; I'll do everything possible; She did the only possible thing in the circumstances.posible
2. satisfactory; acceptable. I've thought of a possible solution to the problem.posible
ˌpossiˈbility – plural possiˈbilities – noun something that is possible; the state of being possible; (a) likelihood. There isn't much possibility of that happening; There's a possibility of war; The plan has possibilities (= looks as if it may be a good one).posibilidad
ˈpossibly adverb1. perhaps. `Will you have time to do it?' `Possibly.' tal vez, a lo mejor, es posible; posiblemente
2. in a way or manner that is possible. I'll come as fast as I possibly can; I can't possibly eat any more; Could you possibly lend me your pen? lo más... que pueda/posible; de ninguna manera; ser posible
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
possible
→ posibleMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
- Is it possible to go water-skiing here? → ¿Es posible hacer esquí acuático aquí?
- Is it possible to go cross-country skiing? → ¿Es posible hacer esquí de fondo?
- As soon as possible → lo más pronto posible
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
possible
adj posible; as much as possible..lo más posibleEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.