Impossible Meaning

UK /ɪmˈpɒsɪbəl/
US /ɪmˈpɑsəbəl/
Word Definition
impossible meaning

Impossible Definition & Usage

adjective

Not able to be done, achieved, or reached.

Examples

  • "Climbing Mount Everest without proper training is impossible for most people."
  • "The task seemed impossible, but he managed to finish it on time."
  • "It’s impossible to predict what will happen next in such a volatile situation."
  • "Winning the lottery is impossible, but that doesn't stop people from trying."
  • "For an artist, creating something truly unique often feels impossible."
adjective

Something that cannot be true or logically consistent within a given system of thought or reasoning.

Examples

  • "The idea that a square circle could exist is logically impossible."
  • "It’s impossible for a thing to be both alive and dead at the same time in classical physics."
  • "His argument was based on an impossible premise, making his conclusions invalid."
  • "The concept of time travel without paradoxes is often considered impossible by scientists."
  • "Certain moral dilemmas, like the trolley problem, present situations that seem morally impossible to solve."
adjective

Used to describe feelings of discouragement or disbelief when facing a very challenging situation.

Examples

  • "After the third failed attempt, he felt the goal was impossible to reach."
  • "She was told by everyone that her dream of becoming a professional dancer was impossible, but she proved them wrong."
  • "It’s impossible to keep going after such a loss, but somehow she found the strength."
  • "The thought of changing careers at his age seemed impossible, but he made it happen."
  • "In the face of overwhelming odds, he never once believed his goal was impossible."

Cultural Context

The word 'impossible' comes from the Latin 'impossibilis', meaning 'not possible'. It has been used in English since the 14th century, often in the context of physical limitations, philosophical contradictions, or emotional barriers. The word has evolved in modern times to also describe personal or emotional states of being, reflecting the challenges of achieving difficult goals or dreams.

The Impossible Dream

Story

The Impossible Dream

James had always dreamed of becoming a professional musician. But as he stood at the threshold of his dream, his feelings of doubt were overwhelming. It felt impossible. Everyone around him told him it was a foolish pursuit, that someone without formal training and connections could never make it in such a competitive industry. But he couldn’t shake the idea. He believed it was the one thing that would make him truly happy. One day, while busking on the street with his guitar, an older man stopped and listened. He watched James play for a while before walking over to him. 'Your music is incredible,' the man said. 'But if you really want to make it, you need to understand something about impossible things.' James was confused, so the man continued. 'Sometimes, the things that seem impossible aren't really impossible at all. They're just really hard. It takes a certain kind of persistence to make the impossible possible.' With that advice, James kept pushing forward. For years, he worked tirelessly, taking on low-paying gigs and continuing to hone his craft. At times, the road seemed impassable—he was tired, discouraged, and the music industry felt like an unbreakable wall. But through perseverance, he slowly built a name for himself. And then one day, the impossible happened. A major record label took notice of his unique sound. They signed him to a contract. James had turned the impossible into something real. It wasn’t magic, it wasn’t luck—it was persistence in the face of the impossible. The story of James is one that proves that while something may seem impossible at first glance, persistence and passion can often overcome what feels insurmountable.

The Impossible Dream