possibility

noun

pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural possibilities

1

: the condition or fact of being possible

2

archaic : one's utmost power, capacity, or ability

3

: something that is possible

4

: potential or prospective value

—usually used in plural

the house had great possibilities

Synonyms

• capability
• eventuality
• potential
• potentiality
• prospect

Examples of possibility in a Sentence

There is a strong possibility that I will not be chosen for the job.

Have you considered the possibility that you may be wrong?

My first two ideas didn't work, but I thought of a third possibility.

The future holds untold possibilities.

His degree and job experience give him a wide range of possibilities for a career.

a man of undetermined possibilities

The old house might not look like much now, but it has possibilities.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s even a possibility of the comet being in the sky at the same time as the Northern Lights, if the solar activity spiking this week translates to geomagnetic storms. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Read: The unraveling of Trump’s North Korea policy Still, there are many reasons to be skeptical about the possibility of a new nuclear deal with Iran. —Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024

What most concerns you about the possibility of political violence in this atmosphere? —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

In discussions with more than a dozen House Democrats, virtually all expressed some degree of fear about the possibility of post-election violence. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing possibility

• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• raise the possibility
• within the bounds of possibility
• within the range/realm of possibility

Kids Definition

possibility

noun

pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural possibilities

1

: the state or fact of being possible

2

: something possible