possible
POS-uh-buhl
Possible (adj) means Able to happen, exist, or be done; not ruled out. Example: “It's possible to finish the project by Friday.”
adj
1
Able to happen, exist, or be done; not ruled out.
"It's possible to finish the project by Friday."
"Anything seemed possible after the win."
"Is it possible to change my seat on the plane?"
2
Plausible or believable.
"Her story sounded possible, so the teacher decided to believe it."
"It's a possible reason for the delay, though we haven't checked yet."
"That's a possible explanation, but not the only one."
How to use possible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to happen or be true; not impossible.
Common mistake
Don't double it up with "maybe possible" — just say "possible" or "might be possible."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
as soon as possible
if possible
make it possible
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Word forms
- Plural
- possibles
- Comparative
- more possible
- Superlative
- most possible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It's _____ to finish the project by Friday.
Etymology
From Latin possibilis, from posse ("to be able").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
impossible
no-go
Related words
Rhymes for possible
See all rhymes for possible →Frequently asked questions
What does “possible” mean?
The word “possible” means able to happen, exist, or be done; not ruled out. In plain terms, able to happen or be true; not impossible.
How do you pronounce “possible”?
“Possible” is pronounced POS-uh-buhl (/ˈpɑ.sə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “possible” in a sentence?
Here is “possible” used in a sentence: “It's possible to finish the project by Friday.”
What is another word for “possible”?
Words with a similar meaning to “possible” include futurable, possibility and option.
What is the opposite of “possible”?
The opposite of “possible” — its antonyms — are impossible and no-go.
What part of speech is “possible”?
“Possible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “possible” come from?
The word “possible” comes from Latin. From Latin possibilis, from posse ("to be able").
Is “possible” a common word?
“Possible” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between possible and probable?
Possible means something could happen - it is not ruled out, however small the chance. Probable means it is likely to happen, with the odds in its favour. Rain is always possible, but only probable once clouds gather. Everything probable is possible, yet not everything possible is probable.
What is the difference between possible and feasible?
Possible means something can happen in principle. Feasible means it is not just possible but practical and realistic to carry out with the resources at hand. Travelling to Mars is possible; whether it is feasible depends on cost, technology, and time. Feasible is the stronger, more practical word.
What is the opposite of possible?
The opposite of possible is impossible - unable to happen, exist, or be done under any circumstances. Words like unattainable and unachievable come close. Something impossible is completely ruled out, whereas something possible stays open, no matter how slim or unlikely the chance may be.
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