Possible

Definition: Possible

Possible

Adjective

1. Capable of happening or existing; "a breakthrough may be possible next year"; "anything is possible"; "warned of possible consequences".

2. Existing in possibility; "a potential problem"; "possible uses of nuclear poser".

3. Possible to conceive or imagine; "that is one possible answer".

Noun

1. Something that can be done; "politics is the art of the possible".

2. An applicant who might be suitable.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "possible" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1200. (references)

Etymology: Possible \Pos"si*ble\, adjective. [French expression, from the Latin expression possibilis, from posse to be able, to have power; potis able, capable esse to be. See Potent, Am, and compare to Host landlord.]. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

Synonyms: Possible

Chance 2

Adjective: casual, fortuitous, accidental, causeless, incidental, contingent, uncaused, undetermined, indeterminate; random, statistical; possible; unintentional.

Completeness

To the top of one's bent, as far as possible, a outrance.

Impossibility

Adjective: impossible; not possible; absurd, contrary to reason; unlikely; unreasonable; incredible; beyond the bounds of reason, beyond the bounds of possibility, beyond the realm of possibility; from which reason recoils; visionary; inconceivable; (improbable); prodigious; (wonderful); unimaginable, inimaginable; unthinkable.

Intention

Verb: chance; (hap); stand a chance; (be possible).

Possible.

Liability

Contingent, incidental, possible, on the cards, within range of, at the mercy of.

Possibility

Verb: be possible; Adjective: stand a chance; admit of, bear.

Render possible; Adjective: put in the way of.

Phrase: misericordia Domini inter pontem et fontent; " the glories of the Possible are ours "; anything is possible; in theory possible, but in practise unlikely.

Noun: possibility, potentiality; what may be, what is possible; Adjective: compatibility; (agreement).

If possible, wind and weather permitting, God willing, Deo volente, D. Verb:; as luck may have it.

Barely possible, marginally possible, just possible; possible but improbably, (improbable); theoretically possible.

Adjective: possible; in the cards, on the dice; in posse, within the bounds of possibility, conceivable, credible; compatible; likely.

Qualification

With grains of allowance, cum grano salis; exceptis excipiendis; wind and weather permitting; if possible.

Crosswords: Possible

French (earthly, feasible, likely, on the cards, possible, potential, prospective, workable).

But all I really want to do is have sex with you as soon as possible. (A Beautiful Mind; writing credit: Akiva Goldsman)

I do love you and you know there is something very important we need to do as soon as possible. (Eyes Wide Shut; writing credit: Arthur Schnitzler; Stanley Kubrick)

I use discipline and drive to make my life possible. (Memento; writing credit: Bo Goldman; Lawrence Hauben)

To spend as much time possible with Diane before she leaves (Say Anything; writing credit: Cameron Crowe.)

It is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not. (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; writing credit: Frances Walsh)

Some people run from a possible fight (An Innocent Man; performing artist: Billy Joel)

It's possible, eventual (Don't Say You Love Me; performing artist: M2M)

And anything is possible when you're Sowing the Seeds of Love (Sowing The Seeds of Love; performing artist: Tears For Fears)

The impossible is possible tonight (Tonight, Tonight; performing artist: The smashing pumpkins)

Possible reason for anything (Don'T Look Too Far; performing artist: Them)

No possible rearrangement of bad eggs can ever make a good omelette. (references; author: Chinese Proverb)

Is it possible to be totally partial? (references; author: unknown)

Everything is possible, just not too probable. (references; author: unknown)

How to act insane: As often as possible, skip rather than walk. (references; author: unknown)

Jesus did not come to make God's love possible, but to make God's love visible. (references; author: unknown)

Aux frontières du possible (1971)

The Heart of the Possible (2002)

Kim Possible (2002)

Un possible amour (2000)

Une ex pas possible (1997)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• Psychology of Man's Possible Evolution (reference)

  (more book examples)

Theater & Movies

• Whether Effective Government is Possible (reference)

• Possible Possum:Freight Fright (reference)

• Possible Possum:Southern Supermarket (reference)

  (more DVD examples; more video examples)

Music

• No Evacuation Possible (reference)

• Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics (reference)

• One of Several Possible Musiks (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

High Tech

• Kim Possible (reference)

• Remotely Possible 4.0 (Windows 95/NT 2 Desktops Legacy) (reference)

  (more camera examples; more video game examples; more computer examples; more electronic examples; more software examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

An adult black man is pictured here in a home setting at the kitchen table with his wife, daughter and son. He is assembling a model car, indicating the digital facility he maintains. He is also seen outdoors with his three children. He was diagnosed as having osteogenic sarcoma of the upper left arm. Surgeons implanted a metal rod in place of the cancerous bone. A new technique. Since the muscle and tendon were saved, he still has use of the arm. The procedure was possible since his cancer had not spread. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

Pictured here is an experimental animal being held by a technician. Only the technician's hands and the animal are visible. The technician measures the size of a reaction of the animal due to a recent injection. A measuring device is being used to achieve the measurement. This may have been a test for the possible carcinogenic effect of a chemical. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

If only one pair of siphonal tufts, or hairs is present, the specimen is classified as a member of one of three possible genre, Aedes, Uranotaenia or Psorophora. Credit: CDC.

Diagram of possible sound wave paths in water Wave-path O-C-E came close to describing refractive path of sound in SOFAR layer Sound path model developed in 1930's for radio acoustic ranging work Didn't yet understand the channeling effect of the velocity minimum Furthest RAR use was out to 206 miles offshore in 1925. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Aerial photography vs. plane table mapping Much greater detail possible and significantly quicker with photography. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Sand bar adjacent to Pass a Loutre. Possible sediment source for restoration projects. Bar features are natural. Credit: America's Coastlines.

Diagram of tuna fishing operations illustrating possible loss of fish prior to closing net completely. Credit: Fisheries.

The soil at the dam removal site is tested for possible contaminants to prevent leaching or erosion into the stream bed when removing the dam. The site is also being searched for any significant archeological remains before the final digging begins. The scientists and archeologists determined through the testing that it was safe to proceed with the dam removal. Credit: NOAA Restoration Center.

HYDROLAB scientists conducted coral reef studies not possible from the surface. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

Figure 20. Color measuring lens of Julien Thoulet designed in 1903 as per the intention of Prince Albert 1st of Monaco. Thoulet tested this instrument at the laboratory at Nancy. It is possible that this instrument was also tested on the PRINCESS ALICE II in 1905. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

And if we shall not have corrected the transgression (or, in the event of our being out of the realm, if our justiciar shall not have corrected it) within forty days, reckoning from the time it has been intimated to us (or to our justiciar, if we should be out of the realm), the four barons aforesaid shall refer that matter to the rest of the five and twenty barons, and those five and twenty barons shall, together with the community of the whole realm, distrain and distress us in all possible ways, namely, by seizing our castles, lands, possessions, and in any other way they can, until redress has been obtained as they deem fit, saving harmless our own person, and the persons of our queen and children; and when redress has been obtained, they shall resume their old relations towards us. (reference)

To prepare such an assembly as this, and endeavour to set up the declared abettors of his own will, for the true representatives of the people, and the law-makers of the society, is certainly as great a breach of trust, and as perfect a declaration of a design to subvert the government, as is possible to be met with. (Second Treatise of Government)

A literary battle alone remained possible. (reference)

The deposit of ratifications shall be made at Paris as soon as possible. (reference)

But what we have to consider here to-day while time remains, is the permanent prevention of war and the establishment of conditions of freedom and democracy as rapidly as possible in all countries. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

she was as grateful as possible, you may be sure

Their conversation was, if possible, more bewildering than their mode of dining

"Now, that I didn't know," said Reg. "Your past has murkier things in it than I dreamed possible. A quality, I might add, that it shares with this soup."

She determined to redeem her error, so far as it might yet be possible.

In a few moments, he had undergone, almost at the same time, almost together, all possible emotions

Was it possible he had done these things

If without peril it be possible, Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him And give him from me this most needful note

The eastern sky grew fairer and it was possible to see the cotton plants and the graying earth

But his Majesty resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the Chamberlain

The summer, in some climates, makes possible to man a sort of Elysian life

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

This is usually possible. (references)

This is not always possible. (references)

Mixed infections are possible. (references)

Business

Access to the China market is possible. (references)

Renewal is possible but it is not guaranteed. (references)

Payment of purchased goods is possible through the delivery service. (references)

Children

Mexico

Penalties under the law include fines of 500 to 1,000 times Mexico City's minimum wage and possible administrative jail time. (references)

Iceland

The law provides that such persons have the right to "all common national and municipal services" and provides that they be given assistance to "make it possible for them to live and work in normal society with others." The law also provides that persons with disabilities should receive preference for a government job when they are qualified equally, or more qualified, than regular applicants. (references)

Malaysia

In December 1999, Zaleha reportedly stated that "all buildings" would be made accessible to persons with disabilities within 2 years, although it is not possible to verify that all buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities. (references)

Civil Liberties

Kazakhstan

Media outlets generally practice self-censorship regarding information on the President and his family in order to avoid possible legal problems. (references)

Iraq

A 1999 Freedom House report rated press freedom in the country at 98 out of a possible 100 points, with 0 being the most free and 100 being the most controlled. (references)

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Journalists Association noted in its annual report on press freedom that the SCMP since Lam's departure had continued to report on sensitive China issues, but lamented the paper's "cessation" of reporting on internal political maneuvering within the top Chinese leadership and the possible effect that this reporting gap might have on both the mainland and Hong Kong. (references)

Discrimination

Tonga

Nonetheless it is possible for ordinary citizens to rise to cabinet positions in government and to accumulate great wealth and status in the private sector. (references)

Economic History

Morocco

Replacements for workers are always available, and the government aims to put people to work wherever possible. (references)

Korea

The chaebol purchase from "family" suppliers whenever possible. (references)

Human Rights

Mexico

The Secretariat of Foreign Relations' Undersecretariat for Human Rights, which has stated its desire and commitment to comply with IACHR recommendations, is conducting a comprehensive review of possible legal remedies in the case for the consideration of General Gallardo's defense team. (references)

Comoros

Most disputes are presented to village elders for possible resolution before being taken to court. (references)

Indonesia

An internal government report compiling eyewitness testimony on August 10 indicated possible military involvement in the killings. (references)

Minorities

Kyrgyz Republic

In 2000 the Government signed a bilateral agreement with Russia on the legal status of Russian citizens living in Russia and Kyrgyz citizens living in Russia; it was intended to provide the maximum social benefits possible under the law for those Russian citizens living in the country. (references)

Brazil

At year's end, a court had scheduled a hearing for February 2002 on a possible criminal charge of racism under the 1997 law. (references)

Iraq

Some Assyrian villagers reported in 2000 being pressured to leave the countryside for the cities as part of a campaign by indigenous Kurdish forces to deny the PKK access to possible food supplies. (references)

Political Economy

PAKISTAN

The WTO granted a two-year extension ending December 31, 2001, with an additional two years possible upon submission of a local-content requirement phase-out plan. (references)

Cyprus

A far-reaching and intensive campaign, involving virtually all Cypriot ministries, has been in progress in recent years, aimed at harmonizing the Cypriot economy with that of the EU to the greatest possible extent. (references)

Cyprus

In view of this reality, the Government of Cyprus has been working to eliminate as many other potential sticking points as possible. (references)

Political Rights

Mexico

The legislature amended the Constitution in 2000 to allow eligible citizens who are abroad to vote in presidential elections; however, the Senate failed to act on the necessary implementing legislation that would have made overseas voting possible in the 2000 election, due to differences over the costs and requirements for voting. (references)

Iraq

It included neither voter privacy nor opposing candidates, and many credible reports indicated that voters feared possible reprisal if they cast a dissenting vote. (references)

Haiti

Fanmi Lavalas and the Convergence discussed the possible makeup of a new CEP, a timetable for new elections, security for political parties, and other confidence-building measures. (references)

Trade

Argentina

Argentina, a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), signed the TBT agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, affirming its obligations to use international standards to the maximum extent possible. (references)

Peru

The commercial banks--along with five finance and seven leasing companies--are regulated by the Superintendency of Banks and Insurance (known by its Spanish initials, SBS). SBS policy is generally to follow regulatory guidelines set by the Basel, Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements (BIS) where possible. (references)

Saudi Arabia

Foreign participation in the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) is not possible, although a number of foreign advisors from OECD countries (including the US National Institute of Standards and Technology) assist and provide counsel to SASO. (references)

Travel

Azerbaijan

Visas are now also available at the Baku airport; however, the Embassy advises all U.S. passport holders to obtain a visa prior to arrival if possible. (references)

Botswana

The Business Meeting: Reconfirm your meeting twenty-four hours beforehand directly with the person you are to meet, if possible. (references)

Indonesia

Avoid buying bottled water from street vendors if possible. (references)

Women

Lebanon

Possible loss of custody of children and the absence of an independent source of income also prevent women from leaving their husbands. (references)

Russia

Several NGO's expressed serious concern about guidance provided to the new justices of peace--to whom most such cases are expected to be referred--which instructs the justices to reconcile the battered and the batterer and return the victim to the home as soon as possible. (references)

Argentina

A 1999 law expanded the definition of punishable sexual violations beyond forcible intercourse and increased the severity of punishments; in addition, it is no longer possible for an accused rapist to be excused from prosecution by offering to marry the victim. (references)

Worker Rights

Chile

The case remained under investigation for possible criminal charges at year's end. (references)

Ukraine

Data on the possible prosecution of law enforcement and border control authorities for their involvement in trafficking was unavailable. (references)

Germany

In three past cases, the children of women in such witness protection programs were brought to the country to prevent possible retaliation against them due to their mother's testimony; however, protection ends once the case is concluded. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expressions using "possible": as best as possible ♦ as far as possible ♦ as long as possible ♦ as much as possible ♦ as often as possible ♦ as quickly as possible ♦ as soon as possible ♦ be possible ♦ best possible ♦ do everything possible to ♦ humanly possible ♦ if possible ♦ in every possible way ♦ in the best way possible ♦ in theory possible ♦ it is possible ♦ it's possible ♦ latest possible ♦ make possible ♦ making it possible ♦ maximum possible air interface user rate ♦ maximum possible AIUR ♦ possible action ♦ possible candidate ♦ possible ore ♦ possible reserve ♦ regard as possible ♦ render possible ♦ that is quite possible ♦ the possible ♦ the readiest way possible ♦ theoretically possible ♦ what is possible ♦ whenever possible ♦ with all possible dispatch. Additional references.

Beginning with "possible": possible-closure, possible-world, possible-worlds.

Ending with "possible": all-possible, only-possible, theoretically-possible, widest-possible.

Afrikaans

moontlik. (various references)

Albanian

rezultat i shkëlqyer, kandidat i mundshëm (probable), i mundur (defeated, vanquished), i mundshëm (available, contingent, eventual, feasible, incident, likely, potential, presumable, probable, prospective). (various references)

Arabic 

‏ممكن (conceivable, contingent, imaginable, it is possible, likely, potential, thinkable), ‏محتمل (bearable, endurable, likely, perchance, perhaps, potential, presumably, probable, prospective, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable), ‏مستطاع, ‏معقول (believable, comprehensible, credible, feasible, intelligible, logical, plausibility, plausible, rational, reasonable, sensible, understandable), ‏جائز حدوثه. (various references)

Bulgarian 

възможен (conceivable, eventual, feasible, liable, likely, potential, thinkable), нещо възможно, задоволителен (adequate, passable, satisfactory, sufficient, well), приемлив член на отбор, приемлив кандидат, приемлив (acceptable, admissible, arguable, eligible, plausible, reasonable, tidy, unobjectionable), поносим (bearable, endurable, livable, liveable, sufferable, tolerable), изпълним (accomplishable, achievable, doable, enforceable, feasible, practicable, viable, workable). (various references)

Chinese 

可能 (might, possibility, probability, probable). (various references)

Czech

možný (conceivable, feasible, practicable, virtual). (various references)

Danish

mulig. (various references)

Dutch

mogelijk (maybe, perhaps, possibly), bestaanbaar. (various references)

Esperanto

esti ebla (be possible), ebli (be possible). (various references)

Faeroese

møguligur (virtual). (various references)

Farsi 

میسر, ممکن (Conceivable, Thinkable), مقدور, امکان پذیر (Conceivable), امکان (Posse, Possibility), شدنی (Precipitant). (various references)

Finnish

mahdollinen (contingent, eventual, potential, prospective). (various references)

French

possible (potential). (various references)

Frisian

mooglik (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possibly), mûlk (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possibly). (various references)

German

möglich (feasible, plausible, possibly, potential, practicable), eventuell (contingent, contingently, eventual, in certain circumstances, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possibly). (various references)

Greek 

πιθανός, εφικτός (attainable, feasible, obtainable), δυνατόσ (feasibly, forceful, intense, lusty, mighty, muscular, potent, powerful, practicable, smacking, splitting, strong, vigorous, virile). (various references)

Guarani

ikatu (it is possible), ikatúpa (is it possible). (various references)

Hebrew 

אפשרי (likely, prospective). (various references)

Hungarian

lehetséges (as far as possible, feasible, it's possible, likely, maybe, potential, probable). (various references)

Indonesian

bisa-bisa. (various references)

Irish

feidir, féidir. (various references)

Italian

possibile (feasible, probable, sporting), eventuale (contingently, eventual, eventually). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

有り得べき (likely, probable), 可能　 (feasible, practicable), 可能 (feasible, practicable). (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

かのう (accepting with pleasure, coming to head, deposit, feasible, festering, practicable, suppuration), ありうべき (likely, probable). (various references)

Korean 

가능한 (Capable, feasible). (various references)

Papiamen

posibel. (various references)

Pig Latin

ossiblepay.(various references)

Polish

możliwy. (various references)

Portuguese

possível (achievable, attainable, coming, earthen, earthly, feasible, likely, plausible, problematic, prospective). (various references)

Portuguese Brazilian

pode-me (it is possible for me, one can to me). (various references)

Romanian

posibil (contingent, eventual, feasible, manageable, maybe, possibly, presumably), tolerabil (tolerable, tolerably), suportabil (bearable, endurable, supportable, tolerable, tolerably), rezonabil (advised, fair, moderate, rational, reasonable, reasonably, sane), eventual (accidental, casual, contingent, eventual, eventually, possibly, uncertain), admisibil (acceptable, admissible, allowable, bearable, conceivable, justifiable, tolerable), acceptabil (acceptable, acceptably, admissible, agreeable, allowable, eligible, fair, fairly, livable, palatable, passable, passably, plausible, reasonable, satisfactory). (various references)

Russian 

сносный (bearable, middling, tolerable, tol-lol), возможный (affordable, conceivable, eventual, feasible, like, poss possible, presumable, probable, thinkable), возможно возможный, вероятный (believable, credible, interquartile, likely, poss possible, presumable, probabilistic, probable, verisimilar). (various references)

Scottish

diog (a syllable, syllable, the least possible effort of speech). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

verovatan (believable, likely, presumable, probable, verisimilar), moguć (contingent, potential), možda (maybe, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Spanish

posible (flippant, likely, potential). (various references)

Sranan

kan (be able, be able to, be possible, comb, goblet). (various references)

Swedish

möjlig (conceivable, earthly, eventual, feasible, liable, mortal, potential), eventuell (any, contingent, eventual). (various references)

Turkish

rekor (high, record), olası (a priori, contingent, contingently, earthly, eventual, feasible, in the air, in the cards, incidental, liable, like, likely, off, on the cards, plausible, probable, prospective, within the bounds of possibility), olanaklı, olabilir (I don't care if I do, may be, maybe, mayhap), makul (acceptable, comprehensible, conceivable, fair, judicious, just, level, logical, moderate, plausible, probable, reasonable, sane, sensible, sober, sober minded), mümkün (feasible, likely, probable), akla uygun (advisable, colorable, conceivable, judicious, legitimate, reasonable). (various references)

Turkmen 

mьmkin (may 1). (various references)

Ukrainian

імовірний (believable, credible, likely, probable, verisimilar), можливе, можливий (affordable, apt, conceivable, contingent, eventual, feasible, likely, potential, presumable, presumptive, probable, prospective), здійснимий (doable, enforceable, practicable, workable), припустимий (admissible, assumptive, bearable, permissible). (various references)

Vietnamese 

có thể làm được (doable, operable, workable), có thể chịu đựng được (endurable, sufferable, supportable), có thể được (presumable), có thể (ablings, ablins, aiblins, likely, maybe, perhaps, possibly, praps, traceable). (various references)

Welsh

posibl, dichonadwy (practicable). (various references)

Yucatec

pahtal (be possible). (various references)

possibile, possibilia, possibilis, possibilitatem. (various references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Derivations

Words beginning with "possible": possibler, possiblest. (additional references)

Words ending with "possible": impossible. (additional references)

Words containing "possible": impossibleness, impossiblenesses. (additional references)

Misspellings

"Possible" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: apossible, Ossobleh, passibe, pissible, poesible, posable, poseble, posible, possable, possiable, possib, possibe, possibel, possibil, possibile, possibili, possibley, possiblily, Possil, possiple, posssible, psosible, pusible. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-2 letters: pilose, plisse, poises, poleis, polies, posies, slipes, slopes, speils, spiels, spiles, spoils.

-3 letters: biles, bises, bless, blips, bliss, boils, boles, isles, lisps, lobes, loess, lopes, loses, obeli, pesos, piles, pisos, plebs, plies, poise, poles, polis, poses, posse, silos, sipes, slipe, slips, slobs, sloes, slope, slops, soils, solei, soles, speil, spiel, spies, spile.

+1 letter: bonspiels, possibler.

+2 letters: basophiles, disposable, impossible, possiblest.

+3 letters: copublishes, disposables, processible, responsible, responsibly.

+4 letters: compressible, copublishers, hyperbolists.

+5 letters: bibliopegists, irresponsible, irresponsibly, phlebotomists, polyribosomes, possibilities, superlobbyist.