impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being or of occurring

b

: felt to be incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled : insuperably difficult

an impossible deadline

2

a

: extremely undesirable : unacceptable

b

: extremely awkward or difficult to deal with

the actor was impossible on the set

impossibleness noun

Synonyms

• hopeless
• insoluble
• insolvable
• insuperable
• unattainable
• undoable
• unrealizable
• unsolvable

Examples of impossible in a Sentence

It's impossible to predict the future.

The heavy rain made it impossible to see the road.

It's physically impossible for a child to lift that much at once.

It's virtually impossible to book a flight just before the holiday.

These math problems are impossible!

You refuse to help and then criticize me for not doing it right? You're impossible!

My boss is just an impossible woman.

Recent Examples on the Web

History From a historical perspective, Biden has a hill to climb, but not an impossible one. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 5 May 2024

This is a one-off whiskey, not meant to be replicated—which would be an impossible task anyway. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin impossibilis, from in- + possibilis possible

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing impossible

• the impossible

Kids Definition

impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpäs-ə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being or of occurring

b

: very difficult : hopeless

an impossible situation

2

: very bad or unpleasant

an impossible person

impossibly

-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble

: not possible : incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled

a party's performance is impossible in part