plausible

plausible — adjective

1. describes a statement, idea, or reason that sounds reasonable enough that you mi

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

describes a statement, idea, or reason that sounds reasonable enough that you might accept it as true, even though you have not yet checked the facts.

Example

Detective Lin found Marcus's alibi plausible until the security camera proved otherwise.

find + object + plausible

It seems plausible that the fire started near the old kitchen wiring.

it seems plausible that-clause

Common collocations
  • plausible explanation
  • plausible theory
  • sound plausible
  • highly plausible
  • perfectly plausible
  • seems plausible
Synonyms
  • credible

    stronger — suggests the speaker actively believes it, not just that it sounds possible

  • believable

    more everyday register; covers stories and characters in fiction too

  • reasonable

    wider — covers logical soundness, not just truth-likeness

  • convincing

    implies the listener has actually been persuaded, not merely tempted to agree

Antonyms
  • implausible

    direct opposite — sounds unlikely to be true

  • far-fetched

    informal; suggests an idea that stretches belief too much

  • unbelievable

    stronger; can also mean 'amazing' in positive contexts

Grammar Patterns

it seems plausible that-clause

a plausible explanation/reason/theory

Usage Note

Frequently modifies abstract nouns like explanation, reason, theory, story, or excuse. Distinguish from sense 2 (adjective/2): this sense judges an idea or argument; sense 2 judges a person's manner. You can call a story plausible without saying anything bad — but calling a person plausible often hints at distrust.

Common Mistakes

The cake tastes plausible.
The cake tastes good.
plausible describes ideas or claims, not flavours, looks, or physical qualities.
I am plausible that he will come.
It is plausible that he will come.
use 'it is plausible that…', not a personal subject.

2. describes a person, or the way they speak, that comes across as honest and since

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

describes a person, or the way they speak, that comes across as honest and sincere, often as a way to deceive others — for example, a smooth salesman or a clever conman who easily wins your trust.

Example

The conman was so plausible that even my grandmother handed over her savings.

predicative: be so plausible that-clause

Marcus is a plausible liar, which is exactly why nobody on the jury caught him.

collocation: a plausible liar/conman/rogue

Common collocations
  • plausible liar
  • plausible conman
  • plausible rogue
  • plausible manner
  • plausible salesman
  • plausible voice
Synonyms
  • smooth

    informal; same idea of fluent, polished talk that may not be sincere

  • glib

    stronger negative tone; emphasises shallow, ready-made answers

  • specious

    formal; focuses on arguments that look fair but are actually false

Antonyms
  • blunt

    describes a speaker who sounds direct and rough, with no smooth charm

  • transparent

    in this contrast, means clearly open and honest — easy to read

Grammar Patterns

a plausible liar/salesman/conman

Usage Note

Carries a clearly negative tone — almost always implies the person is hiding something. Subject is usually a person (liar, conman, salesman, politician) or a personal feature (manner, smile, voice). Distinguish from sense 1 (adjective/1): sense 1 judges what is said, sense 2 judges who is saying it. Calling a friend 'plausible' would sound like an accusation.

Common Mistakes

My new friend is so plausible and kind.
My new friend is so charming and kind.
calling a person plausible suggests you suspect them of being dishonest.
The story sounds plausible because the writer is plausible.
The story sounds plausible because the writer is convincing.
'plausible writer' implies the writer is a smooth liar, which is rarely the meaning intended.

Word family

  • plausibly
    adverbC2
  • plausibility
    nounC2
  • implausible
    adjectiveC2
  • implausibly
    adverbC2
  • implausibility
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four describe ideas or stories that sound true, but they differ in how strongly the speaker is committed. 'Plausible' is the weakest: it only says an idea passes a first sniff test — you can imagine accepting it without yet checking. 'Believable' is everyday and slightly stronger; it suits stories, characters, and excuses that feel real enough to swallow. 'Credible' is stronger again and often used about witnesses, sources, or threats — it implies you actually trust the source, not just that the words sound okay. 'Convincing' is the strongest: it says the listener has been persuaded. Compare: a plausible alibi might still be a lie; a credible witness is one the court is inclined to believe; a convincing argument has already won you over.

plausiblecrediblebelievableconvincing

Common collocations

Nouns

  • explanation
  • reason
  • theory
  • story
  • excuse
  • alibi
  • scenario
  • argument
  • liar
  • conman
  • manner

Adverbs

  • highly
  • perfectly
  • entirely
  • quite
  • barely
  • hardly

Phrases

  • sound plausible
  • seem plausible
  • find something plausible
  • make a plausible case

Prepositions

  • plausible to (someone)

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Borrowed into English in the mid-1500s from Latin 'plausibilis', meaning 'deserving applause', built on the verb 'plaudere' ('to clap, applaud'). The earliest English sense was simply 'praiseworthy' or 'pleasing', but by the 1600s the word had drifted toward 'seeming reasonable on the surface'. The same applause-related root also gives English 'applaud', 'applause', and 'plaudit'. The slightly suspicious tone of modern sense 2 — a person whose smooth talk wins over an audience — preserves a hint of that original 'getting clapped at' meaning.