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possible definition

pos·sible (päs′ə bəl)

adjective

  1. that can be; capable of existing
  2. that can be in the future; that may or may not happen
    1. that can be done, known, acquired, selected, used, etc., depending on circumstances a possible candidate
    2. that can happen or be; potential
  4. that may be done; permissible
  5. that may be a fact or the truth
  6. Informal that can be put up with; tolerable

Etymology: OFr < L possibilis < posse, to be able: see potent

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms possible idiom

possible Synonyms

possible

modif.

  1. Within the realm of possibility

    conceivable, imaginable, thinkable, plausible, reasonable, probable, likely; see also likely 1.

  2. That may happen or be done

    feasible, practicable, workable, viable, attainable, achievable, permissible, potential, within reach; see also likely 1.

  3. *Acceptable

    tolerable, expedient, desirable, welcome; see pleasant 2.

possible is used of anything that may exist, occur, be done, etc., depending on circumstances a possible solution to a problem; practicable applies to that which can readily be effected under the prevailing conditions or by the means available a practicable plan; feasible is used of that which is likely to be carried through to a successful conclusion and, hence, connotes the desirability of doing so a method that is not economically feasible


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

possible Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: Many technologies are combining to make DAVIC concepts possible.

Infinitive complement

  • obtain: It will be possible to obtain accreditation for individual modules or to complete all mandatory modules in order to obtain the full qualification.

Modifies a noun

  • solution: Figure 1 shows some possible solutions to this problem.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Maybe the present exhibition will change this, although it seems quite possible to me that it will not.

Preposition: in

  • order: Members are urged to pay as soon as possible in order to avoid the cost of chasing you up!
possible usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

possible quotes

I'd like to thank all those who made this possibleöespecially Jack Warner

-Andrews,Julie originally Julia ElizabethWells

L'imagination est la reine du vrai, et le possible est une des provinces du vrai. Imagination is the queen of the truth and the possible is one of the provinces of the truth.

-Baudelaire, Charles

Politics is the art of the possible. See Galbraith 343:94.

-Butler, Baron

possible quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"possible." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/possible>

APA Style

possible. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/possible

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