Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
impossible - 5 dictionary results

im⋅pos⋅si⋅ble

  [im-pos-uh-buhl]
Use impossible in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.
2. unable to be done, performed, effected, etc.: an impossible assignment.
3. incapable of being true, as a rumor.
4. not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety: an impossible situation.
5. utterly impracticable: an impossible plan.
6. hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < L impossibilis. See im- 2 , possible

Related forms:
im⋅pos⋅si⋅ble⋅ness, noun
im⋅pos⋅si⋅bly, adverb

Synonyms:
6. unbearable, intolerable, unmanageable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To impossible
im·pos·si·ble   (ĭm-pŏs'ə-bəl)   
adj.  
  1. Incapable of having existence or of occurring.
  2. Not capable of being accomplished: an impossible goal.
  3. Unacceptable; intolerable: impossible behavior.
  4. Extremely difficult to deal with or tolerate: an impossible child; an impossible situation.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin impossibilis : in-, not; see in-1 + possibilis, possible; see possible.]
im·pos'si·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Impossible

Im*pos"si*ble\, a. [F., fr. L. impossibilis; pref. im- not + possibilis possible. See Possible.] Not possible; incapable of being done, of existing, etc.; unattainable in the nature of things, or by means at command; insuperably difficult under the circumstances; absurd or impracticable; not feasible.

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. --Matt. xix. 26.

Without faith it is impossible to please him. --Heb. xi. 6.

Impossible quantity (Math.), an imagnary quantity. See Imaginary.

Syn: See Impracticable.

Impossible

Im*pos"si*ble\, n. An impossibility. [Obs.]

"Madam," quoth he, "this were an impossible!" --Chaucer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : impossible
Spanish: imposible,
German: unmöglich,
Japanese: 不可能な
More Translations »

Main Entry: im·pos·si·ble
Function: adjective
: not possible : incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled impossible in part>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see impossible on Thesaurus | Reference