probable Hear it!

probable Definition

prob·able (präb′ə bəl)

adjective

  1. likely to occur or be; that can reasonably but not certainly be expected the probable winner
  2. reasonably so, as on the basis of evidence, but not proved the probable cause of a disease

Etymology: ME < MFr < L probabilis < probare, to prove: see probe

probable Related Forms

prob′·ably (präb′ə blē; often präb′lē) adverb

probable Synonyms

probable

modif.

likely, seeming, presumable, feasible; see likely 1.

probable Usage Examples

Preposition: that

  • proportion: It is therefore probable that a reasonable proportion of available container traffic would move by rail.
  • majority: It is probable that the majority of soil As anomalies originate from this type of mineralization.
  • church: Although not authenticated, it seems highly probable that an earlier church existed here.

Modifying Another Word

  • highly: Exclusion in the free market oriented society is highly probable.
  • statistically: They function on the principle of constrained maximization of the Shannon entropy, which produces the most statistically probable solution consistent with the constraints.
  • equally: Here's why ( assuming that the four letters are equally probable, like the four suits in a pack of cards ).
  • quite: Well it's quite probable he'd be, say, forty, forty-five years old.
  • indeed: Yet, in the language of the unconscious, the most unlikely eventualities are indeed probable.
  • merely: Without substantial and visible public actions by Saudi Arabia against terrorist financiers, continued stress in the U.S.-Saudi relationship is not merely probable.

Modifies a noun

  • carcinogen: Australian workers are warned that formaldehyde is ' a probable carcinogen ' .
  • lockdown: Its vital not to panic but equally important to be prepared for the probable short term lockdown in the autumn.
  • line-up: Target: Scudetto & Champions League Probable line-up: Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson.
  • reserve: The ministry claims Iraq sits on some 280 billion of probable reserves, mostly in the little explored desert west of Baghdad.
  • explanation: The probable explanation is that this deposit is due to a barrier breach.
  • cause: However, there was insufficient evidence to get probable cause for a search warrant.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: It seemed probable that the vast human movement would be from south to north.
  • appear: It appears probable that the upper stories were also constructed of the same material.
  • think: It was also thought probable that children could be taught their lessons while they slept at night.
  • consider: The accounting depends on whether it is considered probable that a specific lending arrangement will be entered into.
  • look: Ritter's scenario begins to look probable, if not real.