possibility

noun

pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural possibilities

1

: the condition or fact of being possible

There is a strong/real/remote/faint possibility that I'll get the job.

—usually used with of

the possibility of rain today

It is not outside the range/realm of possibility that we'll win.

2

archaic : one's utmost power, capacity, or ability

3

: something that is possible

Rain is a possibility today.

The future holds untold possibilities.

We exhausted all the possibilities. [=we did everything we could think of]

4

: potential or prospective value

—usually plural

the house had great possibilities

Synonyms of possibility

• potential
• prospect
• potentiality

Examples of possibility in a Sentence

There is a strong possibility that I will not be chosen for the job.

Have you considered the possibility that you may be wrong?

My first two ideas didn't work, but I thought of a third possibility.

The future holds untold possibilities.

His degree and job experience give him a wide range of possibilities for a career.

a man of undetermined possibilities

The old house might not look like much now, but it has possibilities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding power without new wind farms One of the more interesting possibilities is that high-altitude turbines could eventually be added to existing wind farms rather than requiring entirely new sites. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

The possibilities, however, are enormous given the longevity of La Oreja de Van Gogh – founded in 1996 – and its enormous repertoire. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

But to conservative Christian critics, even the possibility of portraying a divine Christ figure as anything but male goes beyond artistic license. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Batavia says the gate is causing more traffic on its nearby streets, and has floated the possibility of closing Wagner at the city boundary to force Aurora’s hand. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing possibility

• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• raise the possibility
• within the bounds of possibility
• within the range/realm of possibility

Rhymes for possibility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

possibility

noun

pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural possibilities

1

: the state or fact of being possible

2

: something possible