probable
PRO-buhbl
Probable (adj) means Likely to be true or to happen, based on the evidence available. Example: “Given her excellent grades, a place at university is the probable outcome.”
adj
1
Likely to be true or to happen, based on the evidence available.
"Given her excellent grades, a place at university is the probable outcome."
"The probable source of the failure was the mass of feathers in the intake manifold."
"With all the support we have, success is looking probable."
"It's probable that the flight will be delayed given the storm."
"The most probable explanation is that he simply forgot."
"It's probable that it will rain tomorrow."
How to use probable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore likely than not, based on the evidence.
Common mistake
"Probable" is stronger than "possible" — possible just means it could happen, while probable means it likely will.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
most probable
highly probable
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Word forms
- Plural
- probables
- Comparative
- more probable
- Superlative
- most probable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Given her excellent grades, a place at university is the _____ outcome.
Etymology
From Latin probabilis, "provable" or "credible," from probare, "to test or prove" — the same root behind "probe" and "prove."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for probable
See all rhymes for probable →Frequently asked questions
What does “probable” mean?
The word “probable” means likely to be true or to happen, based on the evidence available. In plain terms, more likely than not, based on the evidence.
How do you pronounce “probable”?
“Probable” is pronounced PRO-buhbl (/ˈpɹɑbəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “probable” in a sentence?
Here is “probable” used in a sentence: “It's probable that the flight will be delayed given the storm.”
What is the opposite of “probable”?
The opposite of “probable” — its antonyms — is improbable.
What part of speech is “probable”?
“Probable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “probable” come from?
The word “probable” comes from Latin. From Latin probabilis, "provable" or "credible," from probare, "to test or prove" — the same root behind "probe" and "prove.".
Is “probable” a common word?
“Probable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between probable and possible?
Possible means something could happen, with no judgment about how likely it is, while probable means the evidence suggests it is more likely than not to happen or be true. Something can be possible without being probable, but anything probable is automatically possible.
What is the difference between probable and likely?
Probable and likely are close synonyms and are often interchangeable, both describing something supported by the available evidence. Likely is more common in everyday speech, while probable tends to appear in slightly more formal or analytical writing, such as forecasts or legal reasoning.
Is probable stronger than certain?
No, probable is weaker than certain. Certain implies no doubt at all, whereas probable only means the evidence points toward something being true, leaving room for it to turn out otherwise.
