English Explanatory Dictionary

possibility

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The quality of being possible.
  2. A thing possible; that which may take place or come into being.
  3. An option or choice, usually used in context with future events.
  4. Capability, power or capacity to act.

Pronunciation

/ˌpɒs.ɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ /ˌpɑ.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ [ˌpɑ.səˈbɪl.ə.ɾi] en-us-possibility.ogg /ˈpɔsɪb(ɪ)lɪʈi/

Word forms

possibility possibilities

Etymology

From Middle English possibilite, from Middle French possibilité (from Old French possibilite) and directly from Late Latin possibilitās (“possibility”), from Latin possibilis (“possible”); see possible. By surface analysis, possible + -ity.

Synonyms

chance contingency contingent eventuality possibility potentiality possibleness choice option alternative

Antonyms

impossibility sure thing

Related words

impossibility possible potence potency potent potentate potential potentiality power probability

Derived words

logical possibility nonpossibility possibility of reverter possibility theory production possibility curve unpossibility
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