possible

Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.

Adjective

  1. Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.
    • Rain tomorrow is possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.
    • It's not just possible, it's probable that there will be rain tomorrow.
    • The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again;[…]. Now she had come to look upon the matter in its true proportions,...

    Synonyms: futurable

    Antonyms: certain inevitable impossible

  2. Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.
    • It's possible for anyone to learn to play the bagpipes.
    • And success in minor degree, in the sense in which he uses the term "success," is only somewhat more possible than success in winning the White House chair. - 1901, Louis Freeland Smith, The Public, volume 4, page 438:
    • Peace between Israel and the Arab countries is "more possible than any time before," says ex-Arab League U.N. ambassador Clovis Maskoud. - 1993 September 10, Lee Michael Katz, “Expectant Mideast hopes to bear twin peace...

    Synonyms: achievable doable viable

    Antonyms: impossible

  3. Being considered, e.g. for a position.
    • Jones and Smith are both possible for the opening in sales.
  4. Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

    Synonyms: likely plausible

    Antonyms: implausible

Origin

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”).

Forms

more possible most possible

Synonyms

futurable possible

Antonyms

impossible

Hyponyms

avoidable impending improbable inevitable probable

Related

contingent improbable incidental possibility potent potential probable

Derived

anything is possible art of the possible ASAP as much as possible as quickly as possible as soon as possible compossible counterpossible humanly possible if possible nonpossible possibilist possibleness possible world possibly unpossible

Noun

  1. A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.
    • Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.

    Synonyms: candidate

  2. 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...
  3. A particular event that may happen.

Forms

possibles

Synonyms

possibility option

Antonyms

impossible no-go