Possibly

Definition: Possibly

Possibly

Adverb

1. By chance; "perhaps she will call tomorrow"; "we may possibly run into them at the concert"; "it may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time".

2. With a possibility of becoming actual; "introducing possibly dangerous innovations"; "he is potentially dangerous"; "potentially useful".

3. In a manner or to a degree possible of conceiving; "is it possibly true?".

4. To a degree possible of achievement or by possible means; "they can't possibly get here in time for the funeral?".

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

Date "possibly" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references)

Synonyms: Possibly

Possibility

Adverb: possibly, by possibility; perhaps, perchance, peradventure; maybe, may be, haply, mayhap.

Crosswords: Possibly

Possibly, but you don't want to be unemployed (American Beauty; writing credit: Alan Ball)

I buried it as deep as it can possibly go. (Sleepers; writing credit: Barry Levinson)

Yes but Your Holiness, with due respect, erm, we can't possibly (Seven Years in Tibet; writing credit: Becky Johnston)

You can't possibly think that a civilization sending this kind of message would intend it just for Americans (Contact; writing credit: Carl Sagan;)

Yes! Using that model they managed to generate every thought I could possibly have in the next, say, 10 years (Twelve Monkeys; writing credit: David Webb Peoples)

Everywhere I possibly can (Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again; performing artist: BARRY MANILOW)

Then I ever thought it could possibly be (Waiting For Tonight; performing artist: Jennifer Lopez)

And possibly the complications (Overkill; performing artist: Men At Work)

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

Books

• Dating: A Singles Guide to a Fun, Flirtatious and Possibly Meaningful Social Life (reference)

• The Everything Wedding Vows Book: Anything and Everything You Could Possibly Say at the Altar - And Then Some (Everything Series) (reference)

• The Pink Milk Sea: My First Self Esteem Reader Possibly (reference)

• The Third and Possibly the Best, 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said: Illustrated by Old Line Cuts, Many of Which Are Quite Amusing (reference)

  (more book examples)

Music

• Possibly Maybe Pt. 2 [CD-SINGLE] [IMPORT] (reference)

• Possibly On (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

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

A little girl, possibly a leukemia patient, is sitting on the doctor's lap. The girl is blonde, around 4 or 5 years old and conversing with the doctor. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

This is an x-ray image of a chest. Both sides of the lungs are visible with a growth on the left side of the lung, which could possibly be lung cancer. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

The ultraviolet pass box cabinet was used in Maximum Containment labs, through which possibly contaminated objects were passed in order to render any pathogens lifeless during transfer between laboratory rooms. Credit: CDC.

“Nonspecific” urethritis in the presence of mixed flora with few bacteria, and associated with neutrophils, without further testing, can possibly lead to a differential diagnosis of gonorrhea. Credit: CDC.

The Hubble telescope has given astronomers their first direct look at what is possibly a ... Credit: NASA.

Astronomers have announced the discovery of at least two, and possibly as many as four, new ... Credit: NASA.

Tom Borden Possibly Coast and Geodetic Survey employee. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Frontispiece from the Hastings Rutter - 1450 A.D. early English pilot guide Possibly first picture of leadline sounding. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Possibly Forster's Tern perched on a piling. Credit: America's Coastlines.

Possibly an immature Forster's Tern. Credit: America's Coastlines.

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

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Which could not possibly be, if all political power were only paternal, and that in truth they were one and the same thing: for then, all paternal power being in the prince, the subject could naturally have none of it. (Second Treatise of Government)

Bourgeois marriage is in reality a system of wives in common and thus, at the most, what the Communists might possibly be reproached with, is that they desire to introduce, in substitution for a hypocritically concealed, an openly legalised community of women. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

I think her the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have

Then they joined and all abused it, Unrestrainedly abused it, As the worst and ugliest picture They could possibly have dreamed of.

quite possibly), manic self-publicist, terribly bad at personal relationships, often thought to be completely out to lunch

Providence had meditated better things for me than I could possibly imagine for myself

He saw that possibly he should not return to the Rue Plumet, and he could neither leave Toussaint behind, nor tell her his secret

Possibly not.

I never suffer a word to pass that may look like reflection, or possibly give the least offence even to those who are most ready to take it.

I might possibly invent some excuse for them and him, but I have no time for it.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

Damage to the pancreas, possibly causing diabetes. (references)

However, there are side effects and possibly health risks. (references)

This is possibly the result of excess weight on the joints. (references)

Business

Pick-up truck sales are very low, possibly because of the local rainy climate. (references)

However, it was thought that imports from Thailand could possibly be assembled U.S. products. (references)

They can possibly have an agreement with these companies for providing internship to students. (references)

Civil Liberties

Syria

The Government banned Jehovah's Witnesses as a politically motivated Zionist organization in 1964. According to a credible report, three Syrian Druze men who had converted to Christianity were arrested in March by Syrian intelligence officials in Lebanon, possibly on suspicion of membership in Jehovah's Witnesses. (references)

Cuba

While many activities between citizens and foreigners possibly could fall within the purview of this law, it appeared to be aimed primarily at independent journalists; however, no one has been tried under this law. (references)

Brunei

Non-Muslims who proselytize may expect to be arrested or detained, and possibly held without charges for an extended period of time. (references)

Economic History

Singapore

Market growth prospects are forecast to remain subdued for the rest of 2001 and possibly through the early part of 2002. (references)

Israel

As the level of the US defense aid rises annually, and the MOD's local currency defense budget shrinks, it is anticipated that more support-type items will be procured in the U.S., i.e. support for spare parts, technical publications and possibly maintenance contracts for U.S.-procured systems. (references)

Italy

These consumers want consumer ready products, (possibly in single portion packages), and are willing to pay the price for high quality food. (references)

Human Rights

Colombia

Child soldiers, including girls, were seen in guerrilla ranks in the despeje, and reports from various sources indicate that the guerrillas recruited at least 120 minors, but possibly many more, in the despeje. (references)

Macedonia

Several persons disappeared during the conflict, possibly for political reasons or due to conflicts among organized crime groups. (references)

Central African Republic

Medical reports revealed that Tembeley suffered cranial trauma, contusions, serious hematomas, and possibly broken ribs. (references)

Indigenous People

Congo

Many Pygmies, possibly including children, have been exploited as cheap labor and discriminated against in employment, education, and the health sector by Bantus; however, there was no information regarding the extent of the problems during the year. (references)

Minorities

Estonia

In 1998 the Government accepted a Russian Government proposal to establish a high-level commission to examine all aspects of bilateral relations, including a subgroup that would examine the humanitarian aspects of the Russian minority in Estonia and possibly of the Estonian minority in Russia. (references)

Political Economy

HAITI

With more than 50 percent and possibly 75 percent of the active population unemployed or underemployed, workers are often not able to exercise the right to remove themselves from dangerous work situations without jeopardy to continued employment. (references)

Political Rights

Congo

Major political parties included the ruling Congolese Workers' Party, the Panafrican Union for Social Democracy, the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integrated Development, the Union for Democracy and the Republic, the Rally for Democracy and Social Progress, and possibly as many as 200 others; however, all generally were ineffective. (references)

Trade

Ukraine

Common business practice in Ukraine is to utilize a "closed" bonded warehouse; opening a bonded warehouse is a very complicated affair involving the State Customs Committee, a great deal of paperwork, and possibly organized crime. (references)

Japan

To affix a mandatory quality mark or a voluntary quality mark requires prior product type approval and possibly factory inspections for quality control assessment. (references)

Women

Costa Rica

Reports of violence against women have increased, possibly reflecting a greater willingness of victims to report abuses rather than an actual increase in instances of violence against women. (references)

Israel and the occupied territories

NGO's report that an unknown number, possibly between 100 and 200, of the nation's prostitutes are under the age of 18. Trafficking in women has become a significant problem in recent years. (references)

Worker Rights

Central African Republic

The law does not prohibit trafficking in persons, and there were reports that persons, particularly children, were trafficked to and possibly within the country. (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 "possibly": all i can possibly do ♦ do all one possibly can ♦ he might possibly come after all ♦ it cannot possibly be ♦ not possibly. Additional references.

Beginning with "possibly": possibly-aids.

Ending with "possibly": climb-possibly.

Afrikaans

miskien (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), altemitters (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), altemits (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), altemit (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), allig (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), aansies (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), aans (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Albanian

ndoshta (belike, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Arabic 

‏كل ما في الإمكان, ‏ربما (at times, likely, may, maybe, might, perhaps, probably, supposedly). (various references)

Bulgarian 

възможно е (it is possible), възможно (like), може би (conceivably, maybe, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Chinese 

或者 (maybe, or, perhaps), 或 (maybe, might, or, perhaps), 可能 (Likelier, Likeliest, likelihood, likely, maybe, Possible, Probable). (various references)

Czech

snad (conceivably, daresay, maybe, perhaps), možná (conceivably, maybe, perhaps). (various references)

Danish

måske (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Dutch

misschien (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Esperanto

eble (maybe, perhaps). (various references)

Faeroese

møguliga (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), kanska (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Finnish

suinkin (only), suinkaan (only), mahdollisesti, ehkä (maybe, perhaps). (various references)

French

peut-être. (various references)

Frisian

mooglik (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possible), miskien (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), mûlk (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possible), faaks (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

German

möglicherweise (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, potentially), möglich (feasible, plausible, possible, potential, practicable), eventuell (contingent, contingently, eventual, in certain circumstances, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possible), wohl (accordingly, arguably, certainly, consequently, indeed, maybe, mayhap, no doubt, perchance, perhaps, probably, rather, so, surely, then, therefore, to be sure, weal, welfare, well, well being, well-being), vielleicht (by any chance, fair, happen, maybe, mayhap, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, perhaps so, really). (various references)

Greek 

πιθανώσ (maybe, presumably, probably), πιθανόν (likely, perhaps), ίσως (perhaps). (various references)

Hawaiian

ndoshta (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Hebrew 

יתכן (feasible, likely, maybe, perhaps), אפשר (it is possible, likely, maybe, perhaps). (various references)

Hungarian

esetleg (by any chance, haply, incidentally, maybe, mayhap, mayhaps, perchance, perhaps), esetlegesen (accidentally, by chance, incidentally). (various references)

Indonesian

mungkin (maybe, might, perhaps, probable), barangkali (might, probably, who knows). (various references)

Italian

forse (about, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, probably). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

若しかして (perhaps), 或いは (or), 或は (or), ひょう窃 (accidentally, by chance, flutter, frail, hurt, lanky, long and thin, maybe, perhaps, piracy, plagiarism, smart, swaying, tall and thin, to feelcool, unexpectedly, unsteady steps), かも知れない (at all, banter, because, completely, dried-up, from, may, may be, might, out of, parched, perhaps, persiflage, quite, since, through, utterly), こそ泥 (because of this, besides, by doing, by means of, can, clicking, compact, drumming, dry, due to this, frightened, happens on occasions, hard, has occurred, hitch, in addition, it has been arrangedthat, it has been decidedthat, it is I who should say so, laboriously, lately, maybe, misspelling of "kon ni chi ha", moreover, perhaps, prejudice, puritanical, recently, regularToukai-line shinkansen, secretly, sneak-thief, sound of rapping, steadily, stealthily, such a thing happened, thanks to this, the other day, there are times when, through, to be able to, to be concerned about, to be particular about, to fuss over, to have done, to this extent, trouble, unflaggingly, untiringly, using, via), 到底 . (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

ひょっとすると (maybe, perhaps), ひょっと (accidentally), かもしれない (may, may be, might, perhaps), ことにすると (maybe, perhaps), あるいは (or), もしかして (perhaps), とうてい. (various references)

Korean 

가능하게 (capably, Feasibly). (various references)

Lombard

poeu vess (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Malagasy

mety. (various references)

Malay

mungkin (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), boleh jadi (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Manx

foddee (can, may, maybe, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, probably). (various references)

Norwegian

kanskje (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Papiamen

podisé (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), talbes (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), kisas (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Pig Latin

ossiblypay.(various references)

Polish

może (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Portuguese

talvez (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, probably), possivelmente (belike, likely, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), acaso (accidence, accident, case, chance, fortuity, hap, haphazard, hazard, lottery, luck, maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, random, venture). (various references)

Romanian

poate (maybe, mayhap, peradventure, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Russian 

возможно (ablins, it is possible, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, presumably). (various references)

Scottish

lon (a rope of raw hides: possibly a condensation of lomhain, elk, prattle). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

moguće, iole. (various references)

Spanish

quizás (maybe, mayhap, peradventure, perchance, perhaps), tal vez (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Sranan

sonten (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), sonte (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), kande (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Swahili

labda (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Swedish

möjligtvis, möjligen (peradventure, perhaps, probably), kanske (haply, maybe, mayhap, peradventure, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Tagalog

sigúro (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), maráhil (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Turkish

mümkün olduğunca (to the utmost), mümkün olarak, belki (contingently, maybe, mayhap, peradventure, perchance, perhaps), belkí (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Turkmen 

дhtimal. (various references)

Ukrainian

можливо (conceivably, maybe, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, presumably, probably), мабуть (apparently, likely, maybe, ought, presumably, probably, yes), будь-яким шляхом. (various references)

Vietnamese 

có thể (ablings, ablins, aiblins, likely, maybe, perhaps, possible, praps, traceable), có lẽ (aiblins, haply, maybe, perhaps, praps). (various references)

Yucatec

wale' (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), wal (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), talbes (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), kensa biixi' (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps), beyts'abile' (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

Zulu

ngabe (maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps). (various references)

fortasse, fortassis. (various references)

Derivations

Words ending with "possibly": impossibly. (additional references)

Misspellings

"Possibly" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: posibly, possbily, possib, possibil, possibili, possibily, possibley, possiblily, Possil, posssibly. (additional references)

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

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-1 letter: bossily.

-2 letters: biopsy, pyosis, sibyls, spoils.

-3 letters: blips, bliss, boils, bossy, byssi, lisps, lossy, lysis, pisos, ploys, polis, polys, sibyl, silos, slips, slobs, slops, soils, spoil, sylis, sysop.

-4 letters: bios, blip, boil, bops, boss, boys, libs, lips, lisp, lobs, lops, loss, obis, oils, oily, pily, piso, piss, ploy, pois, pols, poly, posy, psis, sibs.

+2 letters: impossibly.

+3 letters: possibility, psilocybins, responsibly.

+4 letters: hyperbolists.

+5 letters: disposability, impossibility, irresponsibly, polyribosomes, superlobbyist.