You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or might happen.
[vagueness]
Exercise will not only lower blood pressure but possibly protect against heart attacks.
They were smartly but casually dressed; possibly students.
Do you think that he could possibly be right?
Synonyms: perhaps, maybe, God willing, perchance [archaic] More Synonyms of possibly
2. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use possibly to emphasize that you are surprised, puzzled, or shocked by something that you have seen or heard.
[emphasis]
It was the most unexpected piece of news one could possibly imagine.
I mean, how could they possibly eat that stuff?
What could this possibly mean?
3. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use possibly to emphasize that someone has tried their hardest to do something, or has done it as well as they can.
[emphasis]
They've done everything they can possibly think of.
It's one of the nicest feelings you can possibly have.
4. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use possibly to emphasize that something definitely cannot happen or definitely cannot be done.
[emphasis]
No I really can't possibly answer that!
There's nothing more they can possibly do right.
We cannot possibly risk so many innocent lives.
That can't possibly be right.
Synonyms: at all, in any way, conceivably, by any means More Synonyms of possibly
possibly in British English
(ˈpɒsɪblɪ)
sentence substitute, adverb
1.
a.
perhaps or maybe
b.
(as sentence modifier)
possibly he'll come
adverb
2.
by any chance; at all
she can't possibly come
possibly in American English
(ˈpɑsəbli)
adverb
1.
by any possible means; in any case
it can't possibly work
2.
by some possibility; perhaps; maybe
it may possibly be so
Examples of 'possibly' in a sentence
possibly
Or possibly these days something a little stronger.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How could anyone possibly think otherwise?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So, you may wonder what could possibly need attention.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So what could possibly go wrong in the new era of peace and European unity?
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
He had the star and a stage, so what could possibly go wrong?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And possibly some bad ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An obvious question - possibly a daft one - but is there a fire risk?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The prospect of a third contender claiming the job, possibly one with a military background, is gaining ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The more this becomes an issue, the more social shaming will come about and people will possibly think in the morning to bring along their reusable cup.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You may possibly feel some hunger pangs.
Lutzner, Dr Helmut Successful Fasting -the easy way to cleanse your body of its poisons (1990)
How does one possibly get anything else done?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What more could you possibly need from your weekend?
The Sun (2011)
It will possibly take all they earn.
The Sun (2008)
Your subconscious is actively working on acquiring your goals in more ways than you can possibly imagine.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
We are his third home and we do not think he could possibly go back.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
What was the very worst thing that could possibly happen to them?
The Sun (2015)
You have to consider all the options and there are more options than you could possibly think.
The Sun (2013)
What could that possibly mean for us?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They may possibly clash with more imperative considerations.
George Eliot Middlemarch (1872)
Could he possibly have needed the money?
The Sun (2013)
How long could it possibly take him to get out of the car and stretch?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The comeback from three years of retirement has been harder than he could possibly have imagined.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But what else can possibly be going on?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
None of the plots could possibly happen in real life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is possibly why he thinks and writes like a civilian rather than a celebrity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Possibly the meanest charge you brought to our attention is a fee for reclaiming lost property.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Politicians have been in love with it for years - who could possibly be against it?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
No one can possibly come close to him for entertainment, humour or wonderful sarcasm.
The Sun (2008)
You couldn't possibly invent something so fantastic.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is always best to avoid moralising if one possibly, possibly can.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
possibly
British English: possibly /ˈpɒsɪblɪ/ ADVERB
You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or will happen.
They were smartly but casually dressed; possibly students.
American English: possibly
Arabic: مِنَ الـمُمْكِن
Brazilian Portuguese: possivelmente
Chinese: 可能地
Croatian: moguće
Czech: možná
Danish: muligvis
Dutch: mogelijk
European Spanish: posiblemente
Finnish: mahdollisesti
French: éventuellement
German: möglicherweise
Greek: πιθανόν
Italian: possibilmente
Japanese: ことによると
Korean: 아마도
Norwegian: muligens
Polish: prawdopodobnie
European Portuguese: possivelmente
Romanian: posibil
Russian: возможно
Latin American Spanish: posiblemente
Swedish: möjligtvis
Thai: อาจจะ
Turkish: olasılıkla
Ukrainian: можливо
Vietnamese: có thể
Chinese translation of 'possibly'
possibly
(ˈpɔsɪblɪ)
adv
(= perhaps) 大概 (dàgài)
(= conceivably) (expressing surprise) 到底 (dàodǐ)
to do everything one possibly can尽(盡)最大的能力 (jìn zuì dà de nénglì)
if you possibly can你尽(盡)可能 (nǐ jìn kěnéng)
I can't possibly do that我无(無)论(論)如何也不会(會)做那事的 (wǒ wúlùn rúhé yě bù huì zuò nà shì de)