possibility

The word “possibility” means the chance that something might happen or be true. In plain terms, the chance that something could happen.

“Possibility” is pronounced pos-ih-BIHL-ih-tee (/ˌpɑ.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).

Here is “possibility” used in a sentence: “There's a possibility of rain later today.”

Words with a similar meaning to “possibility” include chance, contingency, contingent, eventuality and potentiality.

The opposite of “possibility” — its antonyms — are impossibility and sure thing.

“Possibility” is a noun.

The word “possibility” comes from Latin. From Latin possibilitas, related to possibilis ("possible").

“Possibility” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Possibility is about whether something can happen at all; probability is about how likely it is. If an event is possible, it is not ruled out. Probability goes further and measures the chance, often as a percentage or fraction. Rain tomorrow is a possibility; a 70 percent forecast is its probability.

A possibility is simply something that might happen or be true. An opportunity is a favorable possibility you can act on to your advantage, often time-limited. Rain is a possibility but not an opportunity. A job opening, by contrast, is an opportunity: a chance that invites you to do something about it.

The main opposite is impossibility, something that cannot happen or be true. Related opposites include certainty, at the other extreme, since a certainty leaves no doubt while a possibility stays open. Everyday antonyms also include improbability and unlikelihood, which describe chances so low they feel close to impossible.

Saying 'there is a possibility of snow this weekend' means snow might come, though it is not guaranteed. Other examples: the possibility of finding a cheaper flight, the possibility that a plan could fail, or the possibility of life on other planets. Each names something that could happen, not something certain.