possible
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possible
- /ˈpɒs.ə.bəl/ UK
- [ˈpɒs.ə.bɫ̩] UK
- /ˈpɒs.ɪ.bl̩/ Northern England
- [ˈpɒs.ɪ.bɫ̩] Northern England
- /ˈpɑ.sə.bəl/ US, dialectal
- [ˈpɑ.sə.bɫ̩] US, dialectal
- /ˈpɒs.ə.bəl/ Canada, dialectal
- [ˈpɒs.ə.bɫ̩] Canada, dialectal
- /ˈpɔs.ə.bəl/ Australia
- [ˈpɔs.ə.bɫ̩] Australia
- /ˈpɒs.ə.bəl/ New Zealand
- [ˈpɔ̟s.ə.bɫ̩] New Zealand
Where it comes from
From Middle English possible, from Old French possible, from Latin possibilis (“possible”), from posse, possum (“to be able”); see power. Displaced Middle English acumendlic (“possible”), from Old English ācumendlīċ (“possible”). Compare also Old English mihtelīċ (“strong, capable, powerful, possible”), which was cognate with Old High German mahtlīh (“possible”) and Old Norse máttulígr (“mighty, possible”). Compare also Dutch mogelijk (“possible”) and German möglich (“possible”).
adjective more possible · most possible
-
Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.
Rain tomorrow is possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Similar: futurable · Opposite: certain, inevitable, impossible
-
Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.
It's possible for anyone to learn to play the bagpipes.
Similar: achievable, doable, viable · Opposite: impossible
- Being considered, e.g. for a position. Jones and Smith are both possible for the opening in sales.
-
Apparently valid, likely, plausible.
Similar: likely, plausible · Opposite: implausible
Similar: futurable, possible · Opposite: impossible
noun possibles
-
A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.
Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.
Similar: candidate
- That which is possible for somebody. […] “don’t you be in any great hurry after that treasure.” “Why, sir, I do my possible, which that ain’t,” said Silver. “I can only, asking your pardon, save my life and the boy’s by seeking for that treasure; and you may lay to that.”
- A particular event that may happen.
Similar: possibility, option · Opposite: impossible, no-go
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: contingent, potential, thinkable, conceivable, imaginable, assertable, doable, realizable, researchable, affirmable, feasible, practicable, accomplishable, achievable, workable, attainable
adjective
Similar: futurable, possible · Opposite: impossible
noun
Similar: possibility, option · Opposite: impossible, no-go
Translations
Every language
adj able but not certain to happen
| Español | posible |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 가능하다 ganeunghada |
| 日本語 | ありうる ariuru, 起こり得る okoriuru |
| 中文 | 可能 kěnéng |
| हिन्दी | संभव sambhav, मुमकिन mumkin |
| Português | possível |
| Français | possible |
| Deutsch | möglich |
| Italiano | possibile |
| Ελληνικά | πιθανός pithanós |
| Română | posibil |
| Русский | возмо́жный vozmóžnyj, вероя́тный verojátnyj |
| Tiếng Việt | có thể |
| العربية | مُمْكِن mumkin |
| עברית | אפשרי |
adj capable of being done or achieved; feasible
| Español | posible |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 可能な kanō na |
| Português | possível |
| Français | possible, faisable |
| Ελληνικά | εφικτός efiktós |
| Русский | возмо́жный vozmóžnyj, выполни́мый vypolnímyj |
adj being considered, e.g. for a position
| Deutsch | möglich |
|---|---|
| Ελληνικά | δυνατός dynatós |
| Русский | подходя́щий podxodjáščij |
Talk about this word "possible." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/possible. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. possible. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/possible "possible." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/possible.Cite this
@misc{possible_2026,
title = {possible},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/possible},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
