possible

adjective

that may or can be, exist, happen, be done, be used, etc.: a disease with no possible cure.

that may be true or may be the case, as something concerning which one has no knowledge to the contrary: It is possible that he has already gone.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Latin possibilis that may be done, equivalent to poss(e) to be able (see posse) + -ibilis -ible

Related forms

non·pos·si·ble, adjective

Can be confused: possible, practicable, practical (see synonym study at the current entry)(see synonym study at practical).

Synonyms
1. Possible, feasible, practicable refer to that which may come about or take place without prevention by serious obstacles. That which is possible is naturally able or even likely to happen, other circumstances being equal: Discovery of a new source of plutonium may be possible. Feasible refers to the ease with which something can be done and implies a high degree of desirability for doing it: This plan is the most feasible. Practicable applies to that which can be done with the means that are at hand and with conditions as they are: We ascended the slope as far as was practicable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Possible

Relevant Questions

How Is This Possible?

00:10

Possible is always a great word to know.

So is bezoar. Does it mean:

a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

possible (ˈpɒsɪb^əl)

—*adj*
1.	capable of existing, taking place, or proving true without contravention of any natural law
2.	capable of being achieved: it is not possible to finish in three weeks
3.	having potential or capabilities for favourable use or development: the idea is a possible money-spinner
4.	that may or may not happen or have happened; feasible but less than probable: it is possible that man will live on Mars
5.	logic (of a statement, formula, etc) capable of being true under some interpretation, or in some circumstances. Usual symbol: Mp or ◇p, where p is the given expression

—n
6.	another word for possibility

usage Although it is very common to talk about something being very possible or more possible, these uses are generally thought to be incorrect, since possible describes an absolute state, and therefore something can only be possible or not possible: it is very likely (not very possible) that he will resign; it has now become easier (not more possible) to obtain an entry visa

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

possible

c.1300, from L. possibilis "that can be done," from posse "be able" (see potent).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

possible

see as far as possible; as soon as possible.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences

One possible explanation for dark matter is a group of subatomic particles