possible — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Synonyms

   futurable

   Antonyms

   certaininevitableimpossible

   Examples

   Rain is possible tonight.

   Rain tomorrow is possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.

   It's not just possible, it's probable that there will be rain tomorrow.

   More examples (2)

   The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again;[…]. Now she had come to look upon the matter in its true proportions, and her anticipation of a possible chance of teaching him a lesson was a pleasure to behold.

   In short, the Leninist-Stalinist version of socialism was a possible interpretation, though certainly not the only possible one, of Marx's doctrine.

2. Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.

   Usage

   • comparable

   Synonyms

   achievabledoableviable

   Antonyms

   impossible

   Examples

   It is possible to walk there.

   It's possible for anyone to learn to play the bagpipes.

   And success in minor degree, in the sense in which he uses the term "success," is only somewhat more possible than success in winning the White House chair.

   More examples (2)

   Peace between Israel and the Arab countries is "more possible than any time before," says ex-Arab League U.N. ambassador Clovis Maskoud.

   Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.

3. Being considered, e.g. for a position.

   Examples

   Jones and Smith are both possible for the opening in sales.

4. Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

   Synonyms

   likelyplausible

   Antonyms

   implausible

Noun

1. A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.

   Usage

   • Colloquial
   • Rare

   Synonyms

   candidate

   Examples

   Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.

2. That which is possible for somebody.

   Usage

   • Colloquial
   • Rare

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […] “don’t you be in any great hurry after that treasure.” “Why, sir, I do my possible, which that ain’t,” said Silver. “I can only, asking your pardon, save my life and the boy’s by seeking for that treasure; and you may lay to that.”

3. A particular event that may happen.

   Usage

   • Rare

Adjective

1. capable of happening or existing

   Antonyms

   impossible

   Examples

   a breakthrough may be possible next year

   anything is possible

   More examples (1)

   warned of possible consequences

2. existing in possibility

   Synonyms

   potential

   Examples

   a potential problem

   possible uses of nuclear power

Noun

1. something that can be done

   Broader terms

   possibilitypossible actionopening

   Examples

   politics is the art of the possible

2. an applicant who might be suitable

   Broader terms

   applicantapplier