impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being or of occurring

b

: felt to be incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled : insuperably difficult

an impossible deadline

2

a

: extremely undesirable : unacceptable

b

: extremely awkward or difficult to deal with

the actor was impossible on the set

impossibleness noun

Synonyms

• hopeless
• insoluble
• insolvable
• insuperable
• unattainable
• undoable
• unrealizable
• unsolvable

Examples of impossible in a Sentence

It's impossible to predict the future.

The heavy rain made it impossible to see the road.

It's physically impossible for a child to lift that much at once.

It's virtually impossible to book a flight just before the holiday.

These math problems are impossible!

You refuse to help and then criticize me for not doing it right? You're impossible!

My boss is just an impossible woman.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fish experiment did convince him, and other researchers, that a human brain microbiome is not impossible. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

This naïve notion, backed by some supporters of the incoming administration, would reduce U.S. involvement in the war to a minimum, forcing Europe to provide all remaining support, a near impossible feat. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

At first, many researchers thought quantum error correction would be impossible. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

Buying gifts for the outdoor enthusiast is damn near impossible. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin impossibilis, from in- + possibilis possible

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing impossible

• the impossible

Kids Definition

impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpäs-ə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being or of occurring

b

: very difficult : hopeless

an impossible situation

2

: very bad or unpleasant

an impossible person

impossibly

-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

impossible

adjective

im·​pos·​si·​ble

: not possible : incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled

a party's performance is impossible in part