possibility

pos|si|bil|i|ty

W2S2 [ˌpɔsıˈbılıti US ˌpa:-] n plural possibilities

1.) [U and C]

if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen

▪ There's always a possibility that he might go back to Seattle.

▪ the possibility of an enemy attack

▪ There was no possibility of changing the voting procedure.

▪ A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility .

▪ Tomorrow, there's a remote possibility of snow on high ground.

▪ They might get married - it's not beyond the bounds of possibility .

▪ The study raises the possibility that dieting is bad for your health.

2.) [C usually plural]

an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried

possibilities for/of (doing) sth

▪ exciting possibilities for reducing costs

▪ Archer began to explore the possibilities of opening a club in the city.

▪ The US has not yet exhausted all diplomatic possibilities (=tried everything possible) .

▪ the range of possibilities offered to students

3.) have possibilities

if something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better

= have potential

▪ The house has great possibilities.

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COLLOCATES for sense 1

possibility (that)

possibility of (doing) something

a strong/real/distinct possiblity (=something that is quite likely to happen)

a remote/faint possiblity (=something that is very unlikely to happen)

not beyond the bounds/realms of possibility (=not impossible, but unlikely)

within the bounds/realms of possibility (=possible)

raise the possibility (=say or show that something may be possible)

HINT

Possibility or opportunity? See also: opportunity

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