possible

adjective

pos·​si·​ble ˈpä-sə-bəl 

1

a

: being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization

a possible but difficult task

b

: being what may be conceived, be done, or occur according to nature, custom, or manners

the best possible care

the worst possible circumstance

2

a

: being something that may or may not occur

a possible surprise visit

b

: being something that may or may not be true or actual

possible explanation

3

: having an indicated potential

a possible housing site

Synonyms

• achievable
• attainable
• doable
• feasible
• practicable
• realizable
• viable
• workable

Choose the Right Synonym for possible

possible, practicable, feasible mean capable of being realized.

possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions.

a possible route up the west face of the mountain

practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions.

a solution that is not practicable in the time available

feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired.

commercially feasible for mass production

Examples of possible in a Sentence

Advances in medicine have made it possible for people to live longer.

It is possible that she decided not to join us.

We tried to spend as little money as possible.

It is not physically possible to do everything you have planned in one day.

The weather report warned of possible thunderstorms tonight.

Thunderstorms are possible but not probable tonight.

The highest possible score is 100.

What possible good can it do to argue?

He is in the worst possible situation.

It is possible that life exists on other planets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Harvard Yard was to be closed until Friday in anticipation of possible protests. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024

Other presentations may be possible, Greenstein says. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

If a cool place at home isn’t possible, or the home does not have air conditioning, McMahon and Bernstein suggest finding cool places that are open to the public, such as libraries, malls and cooling centers. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Non-severe thunderstorms will be possible outside the time windows, especially on Friday and Sunday mornings. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024

An arrangement like mine may not be possible for everyone. —Andy Dunn, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024

But the goal of an alter is to fly under the radar and sound as much like the person (who they're typically known by) as possible. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Given Comcast’s long history of big acquisitions, including the likes of NBCUniversal, cable giant AT&T Broadband and European pay-TV firm Sky, Wall Street observers have often kept eyes and ears open for possible signs of any involvement of the company in major M&A. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

Heavy rain and strong or severe storms will be possible over the weekend. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin possibilis, from posse to be able, from potis, pote able + esse to be — more at potent, is

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing possible

• as soon/quickly as (humanly) possible
• humanly possible
• if (at all) possible
• outside the realm of the possible
• the best of all (possible) worlds
• whenever possible
• within the realm of the possible

Kids Definition

possible

adjective

pos·​si·​ble ˈpäs-ə-bəl 

1

: being something that can be done or brought about

a task possible only to skilled workers

2

: being something that may or may not occur

plan against possible dangers

3

: able or fitted to be or to become

a possible site for a camp