impossible
ihm-POS-ih-buhl
Impossible (adj) means not able to happen or be done. Example: “It is impossible to be in two places at once, however hard you try.”
adj
1
Not able to happen or be done.
"It is impossible to be in two places at once, however hard you try."
"It's impossible to finish the report by tomorrow."
"Getting concert tickets felt nearly impossible."
2
Extremely difficult to deal with or put up with.
"My little brother can be impossible when he is tired and hungry."
"The neighbours are impossible, playing loud music every night until the early hours."
"He's being completely impossible about the schedule change."
How to use impossible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnable to happen at all, or (informally) unbearably difficult to deal with.
Common pairings
virtually impossible
mission impossible
an impossible situation
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Word forms
- Plural
- impossibles
- Comparative
- more impossible
- Superlative
- most impossible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It is _____ to be in two places at once, however hard you try.
Etymology
From Middle English impossible, from im- + possible.
Synonyms
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unachievable
unattainable
unworkable
hopeless
out of the question
unrealistic
inconceivable
unacceptable
unfeasible
nonpossible
unhappenable
unpossible
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for impossible
See all rhymes for impossible →Frequently asked questions
What does “impossible” mean?
The word “impossible” means not able to happen or be done. In plain terms, unable to happen at all, or (informally) unbearably difficult to deal with.
How do you pronounce “impossible”?
“Impossible” is pronounced ihm-POS-ih-buhl (/ɪmˈpɑ.sə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “impossible” in a sentence?
Here is “impossible” used in a sentence: “It's impossible to finish the report by tomorrow.”
What is another word for “impossible”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impossible” include unfeasible, nonpossible, unhappenable and unpossible.
What is the opposite of “impossible”?
The opposite of “impossible” — its antonyms — are possible and inevitable.
What part of speech is “impossible”?
“Impossible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “impossible” come from?
The word “impossible” comes from Middle English. From Middle English impossible, from im- + possible.
Is “impossible” a common word?
“Impossible” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between impossible and unlikely?
'Impossible' means something cannot happen under any circumstances — there is a zero chance of it. 'Unlikely' means something probably will not happen, but it still could. Winning a fair lottery is unlikely, not impossible. People often say 'impossible' loosely to mean 'very difficult,' but strictly it allows no exception.
What is the opposite of impossible?
The main opposite is 'possible' — able to happen or be done. Depending on the context, you might also use 'feasible,' 'achievable,' 'attainable,' or 'doable.' Each suggests that something is not only allowed to happen but realistically within reach, whereas 'impossible' rules it out completely.
Is 'impossible' always meant literally?
Not always. In everyday speech, people use 'impossible' as an exaggeration for something merely very hard or very annoying — 'this crossword is impossible' or 'he's an impossible child.' Strictly, though, the word means something genuinely cannot occur. Context tells you whether the speaker means truly impossible or just extremely difficult.
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