possible

/ˈpɒsəbəl/PO-suh-buhl
/ˈpɑsəbəl/PAH-suh-buhl

Meaningable to be

Common meaning: able to happen or be done

Sources & notes

Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.

Pronunciation

  • UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
  • No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
  • US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
  • No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.

Origin: Built on Latin possum; potēns ‘to be able; powerful’.

Did you know: our wording, based on Lewis & Short, Latin Dictionary (1879), entry possum, p. 1408 · dictionary scan

Roots

Related words

omnipotentpotentpotential

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