possible

possible
pos|si|ble1 W1S1 [ˈpɔsıbəl US ˈpa:-] adj
[Date: 1300-1400; : French; Origin: Latin possibilis, from posse 'to be able']
1.) if something is possible, it can be done or achieved
≠ ↑impossible
Is it possible to get tickets for the game?
It might be possible for the documents to be sent over.
Computer technology makes it possible for many people to work from home.
I want to avoid the rush hour traffic if possible .
I walk or use public transport whenever possible .
We are doing everything possible to track down the killer.
Our staff will help you in every way possible .
Even if it were technically possible , we do not have the money to do it.
She decided to stay as far away from him as was humanly possible .
2.) as soon/quickly/much etc as possible
as soon, quickly etc as you can
I need the money as soon as possible.
Sharon always does as little work as possible.
The original features of the house have been preserved as far as possible (=as much as possible) .
3.) a possible answer, cause etc might be true
There seem to be only two possible explanations .
the possible causes of a child's learning difficulties
it is possible (that)
It's possible that the letter got lost in the post.
4.) a possible event or thing might happen or exist
Heavy rain is possible later in the day.
the possible effect on the health of local people
You need to look at the possible consequences of your actions.
In Hollywood, anything is possible (=anything can happen, even though it may seem very unlikely) .
5.) the best/biggest/fastest etc possible
the best etc that can exist or be achieved
Try to get the best possible price.
What is the worst possible thing that could happen?
6.) would it be possible (for sb) to do sth?
spoken used when asking politely if you can do or have something
Would it be possible to speak to Oliver?
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
COLLOCATES for sense 1
it is possible (for somebody) to do something
make it possible (for somebody) to do something
if (at all) possible (= if it is possible to do it)
where/whenever/wherever possible (=every time you have an opportunity)
do everything possible
(in) every way possible
technically possible (=possible using the scientific knowledge available)
theoretically possible (=possible but difficult and unlikely to be done)
humanly possible (=possible for anyone)
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
possible 2
possible2 n
someone or something that might be suitable or acceptable for a particular purpose
Frank's a possible for the job.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • possible — [ pɔsibl ] adj. et n. m. • 1265; lat. imp. possibilis I ♦ Adj. 1 ♦ (Activités, réalités humaines) Qui peut exister, qu on peut faire. ⇒ concevable, envisageable, faisable, réalisable. Nous avons fait tout ce qui est humainement possible pour le… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • possible — Possible. adj. de tout genre. Qui peut estre, ou qui peut se faire. Ce que vous dites est possible. cela est difficile, mais pourtant possible. quelques uns tiennent que la pierre philosophale est possible. les estres possibles. est il possible… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • possible — Possible, Possibilis, Quintil. Autant qu il est possible, Quoad potest. S il t est possible, Siquid poteris. Il n en ira pas ainsi, Il n est pas possible, Non sic futurum est, Non potest. Il n est pas possible de leur aider si facilement, Non tam …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • possible — 1 Possible, practicable, feasible can mean capable of being realized. Possible is used to dispel doubt that something may or does occur or exist or may come to exist {the regime of religious toleration has become possible only because we have… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • possible — [päs′ə bəl] adj. [OFr < L possibilis < posse, to be able: see POTENT] 1. that can be; capable of existing 2. that can be in the future; that may or may not happen 3. a) that can be done, known, acquired, selected, used, etc., depending on… …   English World dictionary

  • Possible — Pos si*ble, a. [F., fr. L. possibilis, fr. posse to be able, to have power; potis able, capable + esse to be. See {Potent}, {Am}, and cf. {Host} a landlord.] Capable of existing or occurring, or of being conceived or thought of; able to happen;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • possible — ► ADJECTIVE 1) capable of existing, happening, or being achieved. 2) that may be so, but that is not certain or probable. ► NOUN 1) a possible candidate for a job or member of a team. 2) (the possible) that which is likely or achievable. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • possible — I adjective achievable, anticipated, apt, attainable, believable, capable, cogitable, conceivable, credible, feasible, grantable, imaginable, liable, likely, obtainable, performable, plausible, potential, probable, promising, rational, realizable …   Law dictionary

  • possible — c.1300, from L. possibilis that can be done, from posse be able (see POTENT (Cf. potent)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • possible — [adj] likely, attainable accessible, achievable, adventitious, advisable, available, breeze*, can do*, cinch, conceivable, credible, dependent, desirable, doable, dormant, duck soup*, easy as pie*, expedient, feasible, fortuitous, hopeful,… …   New thesaurus

  • possible — (po si bl ) adj. 1°   Qui peut être, qui peut se faire. Il est possible que cela se fasse. Il est possible de faire cela. •   Est il possible que nous travaillions à la structure et à la cadence d une période, comme s il y allait de notre vie ?,… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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