If you say that something is probable, you mean that it is likely to be true or likely to happen.
[vagueness]
It is probable that the medication will suppress the symptom without treating thecondition.
The probable result is that asset prices will again rise rapidly.
An airline official said a bomb was the incident's most probable cause.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use probable to describe a role or function that someone or something is likely to have.
The Socialists united behind their probable presidential candidate.
More Synonyms of probable
probable in British English
(ˈprɒbəbəl)
adjective
1.
likely to be or to happen but not necessarily so
2.
most likely
the probable cause of the accident
noun
3.
a person who is probably to be chosen for a team, event, etc
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin probābilis that may be proved, from probāre to prove
probable in American English
(ˈprɑbəbəl)
adjective
1.
likely to occur or be; that can reasonably but not certainly be expected
the probable winner
2.
reasonably so, as on the basis of evidence, but not proved
the probable cause of a disease
Derived forms
probably (ˈprobably) (ˈprɑbəbli; often ˈprɑbli)
adverb
Word origin
ME < MFr < L probabilis < probare, to prove: see probe
Examples of 'probable' in a sentence
probable
When the Irishman came down on his crown, a red card looked probable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When the Irishman came down on his crown, a red card looked probable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet a strike now looks all too probable.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It has been highlighted by some as one of the probable reasons for his return last summer.
The Sun (2014)
It seems probable that she slipped between both roles at different times.
The Times Literary Supplement (2008)
All you can do is say how probable different outcomes are.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The pattern of results may give hints about the most probable cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It seems probable that both his social climbing and his arrogance were the effect of insecurity.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The case was dropped through lack of probable cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It seems most probable that this was when the site was occupied.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
Officials said that a gas leak was the probable cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All these things seem closer to probable than preposterous.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He can take their free interactive test online to help find the probable cause.
The Sun (2013)
In that time there have been six draws - and that looks the probable result again.
The Sun (2009)
They still do - but further progress in the long term looks quite probable.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Their youth was the probable reason that the eggs were not fertilised, he added.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
To make policy requires empathy, imagination and a firm grasp of statistics and probable outcomes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Somewhere in the middling scenario looks most probable, but we are in unknown territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The probable outcome is that neither show will win the maJor awards.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So long as that looks probable, we must grit our teeth and keep talking.
The Sun (2009)
If these reforms are taken up, there will be three probable outcomes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Durham look probable county champions, borne on the swift wings of their fast bowlers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You are an intuitive grandmother because your letter highlights many probable causes of your granddaughter's difficulties.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The most probable outcome of the election is that no single party will have a sufficient majority to form a government, making coalition talks necessary.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The probable reason for large numbers of callers is taxpayers' lack of trust in HMRC.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His arm in delivery stride seems shortened, as a probable result of the phobia of hitting the stumps, costing him pace and accuracy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
probable
British English: probable /ˈprɒbəbl/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is probable is likely to be true or likely to happen.
It is probable that the volcano will erupt again.
American English: probable
Arabic: مُحْتَمَل
Brazilian Portuguese: provável
Chinese: 很可能的
Croatian: vjerojatan
Czech: pravděpodobný
Danish: sandsynlig
Dutch: waarschijnlijk
European Spanish: probable
Finnish: todennäköinen
French: probable
German: wahrscheinlich
Greek: πιθανός
Italian: probabile
Japanese: ありそうな
Korean: 있음직한
Norwegian: sannsynlig
Polish: prawdopodobny
European Portuguese: provável
Romanian: posibil
Russian: вероятный
Latin American Spanish: probable
Swedish: sannolik
Thai: ที่น่าจะเป็นไปได้
Turkish: olası
Ukrainian: можливий
Vietnamese: có thể
Chinese translation of 'probable'
probable
(ˈprɔbəbl)
adj
可能的 (kěnéng de)
it is/seems probable that ... 可能 ... /似乎可能 ... (kěnéng ... /sìhū kěnéng ... )