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probable

 - 3 dictionary results

prob⋅a⋅ble

  [prob-uh-buhl]
Use probable in a Sentence
–adjective
1. likely to occur or prove true: He foresaw a probable business loss. He is the probable writer of the article.
2. having more evidence for than against, or evidence that inclines the mind to belief but leaves some room for doubt.
3. affording ground for belief.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L probābilis likely, lit., capable of standing a test, equiv. to probā(re) to test (see probe ) + -bilis -ble
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To probable
prob·a·ble   (prŏb'ə-bəl)   
adj.  

  1. Likely to happen or to be true: War seemed probable in 1938. The home team, far ahead, is the probable winner.

  2. Likely but uncertain; plausible.

  3. Theology Of or relating to opinions and actions in ethics and morals for whose lawfulness intrinsic reasons or extrinsic authority may be adduced.


[Middle English, plausible, from Old French, from Latin probābilis, from probāre, to prove; see prove.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

probable 
1387, from O.Fr. probable (14c.), from L. probabilis "provable," from probare "to try, to test" (see prove). Probable cause as a legal term is attested from 1676. Probably is attested from 1535; probability from 1551.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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