possible

possible — adjective

1. within real limits of time, money, or ability, so it can actually happen or be d

1.adjectiveA1
Definition

within real limits of time, money, or ability, so it can actually happen or be done

Example

A second train line is possible if the city finds more money.

pattern: be possible if + clause

With two ladders, painting the hall in one day is possible.

it is possible to + verb idea

Common collocations
  • make possible
  • possible solution
  • possible route
  • possible for everyone
Synonyms
  • feasible

    is more formal and is common when judging plans, costs, or technical ideas

  • workable

    suggests something should function in practice, even if it is not perfect

  • achievable

    is especially common for goals, results, and targets people can reach

  • doable

    is informal and common for everyday tasks

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

it is possible to + verb

possible for somebody to + verb

make something possible

Usage Note

Often used for plans, actions, or situations that can really happen or be carried out. Distinguish from adjective/3, which is about uncertainty rather than feasibility.

Common Mistakes

A taxi is possible outside the hotel.
A taxi is available outside the hotel.' / 'Taking a taxi is possible.
'possible' means feasible, not simply ready for use.

2. used after as to mean to the greatest amount, speed, or degree that can be manag

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

used after as to mean to the greatest amount, speed, or degree that can be managed

Example

Please email the photos as soon as possible after the meeting.

pattern: as soon as possible

Nurses moved the child as gently as possible onto the bed.

pattern: as + adverb + as possible

Common collocations
  • as soon as possible
  • as quickly as possible
  • as gently as possible
  • as large as possible
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

as soon as possible

as quickly as possible

as clearly as possible

as far as possible

Usage Note

Restricted to the pattern as + adjective or adverb + as possible. Unlike adjective/1, it does not judge whether something is feasible; it asks for the greatest degree you can manage.

Common Mistakes

Please reply as soon possible.
Please reply as soon as possible.
this pattern needs both uses of 'as'.

3. able to happen or be true, but not certain; also able to seem reasonable in the

3.adjectiveB1
Definition

able to happen or be true, but not certain; also able to seem reasonable in the situation

Example

Heavy rain is possible after lunch, so Maya packed a yellow raincoat.

It is possible that Mina took the wrong bus.

pattern: it is possible that + clause

Common collocations
  • possible cause
  • possible explanation
  • possible answer
  • possible that
Synonyms
  • likely

    is stronger and suggests a better chance of happening

  • probable

    is more formal and also stronger than possible

  • plausible

    focuses on whether an explanation sounds reasonable

  • conceivable

    is more formal and often stresses that something can be imagined

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

it is possible that + clause

possible explanation

possible cause

possible answer

Usage Note

Often appears before nouns such as cause, reason, answer, or explanation, and in It is possible that.... Distinguish from adjective/1 when you mean 'can be done' rather than 'may be true or happen'.

Common Mistakes

Snow is possible tomorrow, so it will probably happen.
Snow is possible tomorrow, but it may not happen.
'possible' only says something can happen; it is weaker than 'likely'.
Idioms

as quickly, much, soon, etc. as possible

idiom

Doing something with the greatest speed, quantity, or timeliness that you can manage.

Please send the report to me as soon as possible.

Mia tried to eat as much as possible before the race.

the best/worst of all possible worlds

idiom

A situation that combines all the best or all the worst features imaginable.

In the best of all possible worlds, everyone would have free healthcare.

Losing his job and his home was the worst of all possible worlds.

the best of both worlds/all possible worlds

idiom

A situation where you can enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time.

Working from home gives me the best of both worlds.

This hybrid car offers the best of both worlds: electric and gas.

the worst of all (possible) worlds

idiom

A situation that combines all the worst features or disadvantages at once.

Getting stuck in traffic and running late was the worst of all worlds.

For Sara, the new policy created the worst of all possible worlds.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Possible is the broadest everyday word when something can be done, happen, or exist in real life. Feasible is more formal and is common in business, science, or planning when you judge whether an idea can really work with the time, money, or facts available. Workable suggests a plan may not be perfect, but it should still function. Achievable is often used for goals, targets, or results people can reach. Doable is informal and fits smaller everyday tasks. You can say "Building a bike path is possible," "The short schedule is not feasible," or "Their backup plan is workable for one week."

feasible ↗workable ↗achievabledoable

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • entirely possible
  • quite possible
  • perfectly possible

Phrases

  • if possible

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Possible came into English through Old French from Latin possibilis, a word built from the Latin verb posse, meaning "to be able". Its central idea has stayed the same: something is possible when it can happen, exist, or be done.