If you say there is a possibilitythat something is the case or that something will happen, you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot theteeth.
Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
2. countable noun
A possibility is one of several different things that could be done.
One possibility would be to compensate us with other property.
There were several possibilities open to each manufacturer.
Synonyms: option, choice, alternative, solution More Synonyms of possibility
3.
See not beyond the realms/bounds of possibility
More Synonyms of possibility
possibility in British English
(ˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the state or condition of being possible
2.
anything that is possible
3.
a competitor, candidate, etc, who has a moderately good chance of winning, being chosen, etc
4. (often plural)
a future prospect or potential
my new house has great possibilities
possibility in American English
(ˌpɑsəˈbɪləti)
noun
1.
the quality or condition of being possible
2. Word forms: pluralˌpossiˈbilities
something that is possible
Word origin
ME possibilite < LL possibilitas
COBUILD Collocations
possibility
consider a possibility
discuss the possibility of
dismiss a possibility
distinct possibility
endless possibilities
examine a possibility
exclude a possibility
explore possibilities
face a possibility
infinite possibilities
intriguing possibility
limitless possibilities
realistic possibility
remain a possibility
remote possibility
strong possibility
suggest a possibility
the possibilities inherent in
Examples of 'possibility' in a sentence
possibility
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The possibility of future fines has put some investors off.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One possibility could involve a package of rail and road improvements.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Both sides leave open the possibility of talks on services.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Arrest, a public trial and imprisonment were a real possibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is, you need to accept the possibility of losses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It didn't happen but it is a possibility now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is one possibility more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That would open up a whole line of possibilities - positive ones for the UK.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The policy admitted of the possibility in exceptional cases of permitting such an interview to be broadcast.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is no real possibility here of audience participation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This raises the possibility of fresh industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It also pays to plan for all future possibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a story not in fact of possibility but of one central failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He set up an acquisitions committee to explore other possibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can redraw the map of human potential and possibility.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
You can say only that something is a possibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The more often you picture an idea the more of a possibility it becomes.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
Medical interest in this possibility is now intense and many trials are being conducted.
Youngson, Dr. Robert The Antioxidant Health Plan (1994)
The fertility of his imagination opened up the possibilities of crime as a genre.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But the possibility that conditions for life existed in this solar system is tantalising.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That conversation needs to be had when you visit the schools you consider serious possibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It can only be the case that some possibilities appear a little less daunting than others.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That is often a very real possibility.
The Sun (2015)
It inevitably raises the possibility of a fifth series.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He explored the possibilities of becoming a photographer.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Living dangerously brings the possibilities of something beyond mere success.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But it is now a possibility we need to confront.
The Sun (2012)
Body scanning and new fabrication techniques are opening up more possibilities in this direction.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It may speak of the plight of the political prisoner but that is just one of many possibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She is a 36-year-old woman with the world at her feet for whom any possibility could become real.
The Sun (2014)
Quotations
Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilitiesAristotlePoetics
In other languages
possibility
British English: possibility /ˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ/ NOUN
If you say there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, you mean that it might be true or it might happen.
Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
American English: possibility
Arabic: إِمْكَانِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: possibilidade
Chinese: 可能性
Croatian: mogućnost
Czech: možnost
Danish: mulighed
Dutch: mogelijkheid
European Spanish: posibilidad
Finnish: mahdollisuus
French: possibilité
German: Möglichkeit
Greek: δυνατότητα
Italian: possibilità
Japanese: 可能性
Korean: 가능성
Norwegian: mulighet
Polish: możliwość
European Portuguese: possibilidade
Romanian: posibilitate
Russian: возможность
Latin American Spanish: posibilidad
Swedish: möjlighet
Thai: ความเป็นไปได้
Turkish: olasılık
Ukrainian: можливість
Vietnamese: khả năng
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'possibility'
remote possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
strong possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen, you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
distinct possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
face a possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
intriguing possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
realistic possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
dismiss a possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
examine a possibility
A possibility is one of several different things that could be done.
exclude a possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
remain a possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
suggest a possibility
A possibility is one of several different things that could be done.
consider a possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
the realm of possibility
If you say that something is not beyond the realms of possibility , you mean that it is possible .
discuss the possibility of
A possibility is one of several different things that could be done.
not beyond the realms/bounds of possibility
You can say ' It is not beyond the realms of possibility ' or ' It is not beyond the bounds of possibility ' when you are stating something that you believe is possibly true, but which other people might consider unlikely or impossible .
Chinese translation of 'possibility'
possibility
(pɔsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ)
n(c)
(= chance)
(that sth is true) 可能性 (kěnéngxìng) (种(種), zhǒng)
(of sth happening) 可能的事 (kěnéng de shì) (件, jiàn)
(= option) 可选(選)性 (kěxuǎnxìng) (种(種), zhǒng)
1 (noun)
Definition
the state of being possible
a debate about the possibility of political reform
Synonyms
feasibility
He examined the feasibility of the plan.
likelihood
plausibility
potentiality
practicability
We discussed the practicability of the idea.
workableness
2 (noun)
Definition
the state of being possible
There is still a possibility of unrest in the country.
Synonyms
likelihood
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
chance
This partnership has a good chance of success.
risk
There is a small risk of brain damage.
odds
prospect
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
liability
anyone whose medical history shows a liability to thromboses
hazard
a sole that reduces the hazard of slipping on slick surfaces
probability
the probability of life on other planets
3 (noun)
Definition
anything that is possible
There were several possibilities open to the manufacturers.
Synonyms
option
He was jailed for thirty days without the option of a fine.
choice
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
alternative
If you don't fancy going on holiday to Malta, we have several alternatives.
solution
bet (informal)
Your best bet is to choose a guest house.
course of action
recourse
The public believes its only recourse is to take to the streets.
4 (noun)
Definition
a future prospect or potential
This situation has great possibilities.
Synonyms
potential
The boy has potential.
promise
He first showed promise as an athlete in grade school.
prospects
talent
capabilities
potentiality
useful breeds whose potentiality has not been realized
Quotation
Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities [Aristotle – Poetics]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alternative
Definition
either or any of such choices
If you don't fancy going on holiday to Malta, we have several alternatives.
Synonyms
substitute,
choice,
other,
option,
preference,
recourse
in the sense of bet
Definition
a course of action
Your best bet is to choose a guest house.
Synonyms
option,
plan,
choice,
alternative,
course of action
in the sense of chance
Definition
the extent to which something is likely to happen
This partnership has a good chance of success.
Synonyms
probability,
odds,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
likelihood
Synonyms of 'possibility'
possibility
Explore 'possibility' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of choice
Definition
an alternative action or possibility
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
Synonyms
option,
say,
alternative
in the sense of hazard
Definition
risk or likelihood of injury, loss, etc.
a sole that reduces the hazard of slipping on slick surfaces
Synonyms
danger,
risk,
threat,
problem,
menace,
peril,
jeopardy,
pitfall,
endangerment,
imperilment
in the sense of liability
anyone whose medical history shows a liability to thromboses
Synonyms
tendency,
susceptibility,
proneness,
likelihood,
probability
in the sense of potentiality
Definition
latent capacity for becoming or developing
useful breeds whose potentiality has not been realized
Synonyms
capacity,
promise,
ability,
potential,
prospect,
capability,
the makings,
likelihood,
aptitude
in the sense of practicability
We discussed the practicability of the idea.
Synonyms
feasibility,
use,
value,
advantage,
possibility,
practicality,
viability,
usefulness,
workability,
operability
in the sense of probability
Definition
a measure of the likelihood of an event happening
the probability of life on other planets
Synonyms
chance,
odds,
possibility,
likelihood
in the sense of promise
Definition
indication of future success
He first showed promise as an athlete in grade school.
Synonyms
potential,
ability,
talent,
capacity,
capability,
flair,
aptitude
in the sense of prospect
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
Synonyms
likelihood,
chance,
possibility,
plan,
hope,
promise,
proposal,
odds,
expectation,
probability,
anticipation,
presumption
in the sense of recourse
Definition
a source of help or course of action that is turned to when in difficulty
The public believes its only recourse is to take to the streets.
Synonyms
option,
choice,
alternative,
resort,
appeal,
resource,
remedy,
way out,
refuge,
expedient,
backstop
in the sense of risk
Definition
the possibility of bringing about misfortune or loss