possible

adjective

pos·​si·​ble ˈpä-sə-bəl How to pronounce possible (audio)
Synonyms of possible
1
a
: being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization
a possible but difficult task
I like to visit whenever possible.
Come as quickly/soon as (humanly) possible.
b
: being what may be conceived, be done, or occur according to nature, custom, or manners
the best possible care
the worst possible circumstance
2
a
: being something that may or may not occur
a possible surprise visit
b
: being something that may or may not be true or actual
possible explanation
3
: having an indicated potential
a possible housing site

Synonyms of possible

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possible, practicable, feasible mean capable of being realized.

possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions.

a possible route up the west face of the mountain

practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions.

a solution that is not practicable in the time available

feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired.

commercially feasible for mass production

Examples of possible in a Sentence

Advances in medicine have made it possible for people to live longer. It is possible that she decided not to join us. We tried to spend as little money as possible. It is not physically possible to do everything you have planned in one day. The weather report warned of possible thunderstorms tonight. Thunderstorms are possible but not probable tonight. The highest possible score is 100. What possible good can it do to argue? He is in the worst possible situation. It is possible that life exists on other planets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And there are six possible ways for two crests and two troughs to meet, causing the waves to completely cancel out and produce a flat surface (destructive interference). — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Politics, as was still possible on plenty of stages a decade and a half ago, is the spice added to the deeply standard meat and potatoes of its structure. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, technological advances made possible by the digital age have undermined the social contract of the industrial era and hollowed out the middle class. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 With an average closing time of 22 days — nearly half the industry average — homeowners will be able to get the keys to their home as soon as possible. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possible

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin possibilis, from posse to be able, from potis, pote able + esse to be — more at potent, is

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of possible was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing possible

Rhymes for possible

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Browse Nearby Words

possibility
possible
possibleness
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Cite this Entry

“Possible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possible. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

possible

adjective
pos·​si·​ble ˈpäs-ə-bəl How to pronounce possible (audio)
1
: being something that can be done or brought about
a task possible only to skilled workers
2
: being something that may or may not occur
plan against possible dangers
3
: able or fitted to be or to become
a possible site for a camp
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