Possible Meaning
Possible Definition & Usage
Able to happen, be done, or exist.
Examples
- "It's possible to finish the project by Friday if we work overtime."
- "Is it possible to buy tickets at the door?"
- "There is a possible chance of rain later this evening."
- "The mission was difficult, but still possible with the right tools."
- "We need to find the most possible solution to this problem."
Referring to something that is contingent on certain conditions.
Examples
- "It's possible that the team will qualify for the finals if they win tonight."
- "She might be late, but that's possible given the traffic."
- "The outcome of the test is possible, depending on how much you study."
- "We could go to the park later, but it's possible that we'll decide otherwise."
- "It’s possible for him to join us, but he needs to check his schedule first."
Indicating that something is likely to occur or be true, but not certain.
Examples
- "It’s possible that they will announce the winner tomorrow."
- "There is a possible explanation for her absence, but we can’t be sure."
- "Given the weather, it’s possible that the flight will be delayed."
- "It’s possible that the company will release a new product next year."
- "There’s a possible link between diet and health outcomes."
Cultural Context
The word 'possible' is derived from the Latin word 'possibilis', meaning 'that can be done'. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss likelihood, capability, and conditions under which something can occur.
The Impossible, The Possible, and The Path In-Between
Story
The Impossible, The Possible, and The Path In-Between
In a small town nestled between the mountains, there lived a young inventor named Leo. Leo had always been told that some things were simply impossible—like building a flying machine in his modest workshop. Yet, he never gave up on the idea. 'It's possible,' he would say to anyone who doubted him. 'I know I can make it work.' But that was just the beginning. Leo’s journey was filled with moments of uncertainty, where he had to decide if something was actually possible or just a fantasy. One evening, as he was working late into the night, his friend Claire visited the workshop. She looked over the machine with a skeptical eye. 'Is it possible to finish this before the deadline?' she asked, noticing the tight time frame. Leo paused, glancing at the clock. 'It’s possible,' he replied, 'but it will depend on how well we manage our time.' The next morning, Leo woke up to find that a critical part for the machine had gone missing. 'This is impossible!' he exclaimed in frustration. 'How can I finish it now?' Claire, ever the realist, offered a different perspective. 'It’s possible that it’s simply delayed in the mail. Let’s check again after lunch. There’s no point giving up now.' Days passed, and the challenges kept piling up. Yet, Leo’s belief in the possible never wavered. Eventually, with hard work and determination, the flying machine was ready for its first test flight. As Leo took a deep breath and prepared for takeoff, Claire asked, 'Do you think it’s really possible?' Leo smiled, 'I believe it’s possible.' He pulled the lever, and the machine lifted off the ground. Though it only hovered for a few moments before descending, Leo knew that he had proven something more than just the possibility of flight. He had proven that with persistence, almost anything was possible. It wasn’t always easy, and it wasn’t always guaranteed, but with the right conditions, things that seemed impossible could indeed become possible. As they watched the machine land safely, Claire turned to him and said, 'You were right, Leo. Anything is possible when you don’t give up.'
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