Definition

1. Noun:
   • A possible alternative; something that might happen or be chosen: "Possibility" refers to something that could occur or be selected from among other options.
   • A tentative insight or unverified concept that could explain facts: In academic contexts, it denotes a preliminary idea or hypothesis that, if proven true, would account for certain observations.
   • The capability of existing, happening, or being true: This meaning refers to the inherent potential for something to be real or to occur.
   • Future potential or prospect for development: It can describe the latent capacity for growth, improvement, or use that something possesses.

Usage Examples

• As a possible alternative:
  • Bankruptcy is always a possibility for a struggling business.
  • We must consider every possibility before making a final decision.
• As a tentative insight or hypothesis:
  • The scientist presented a new possibility to explain the unusual data.
  • His paper explores the possibility that dark energy is a quantum effect.
• As the capability of existing or happening:
  • There is a strong possibility of rain this afternoon.
  • The possibility that life exists on other planets fascinates many.
• As future potential:
  • This old building has great possibility as a community center.
  • The young athlete shows tremendous possibility for the future.

Advanced Usage

• Within the realm/bounds of possibility: Something that could potentially happen or be true.
  • Traveling to Mars is now within the realm of possibility.
• A distinct/real possibility: A likely or credible potential outcome.
  • Given the economic indicators, a recession is a distinct possibility.
• To explore/consider the possibility: To investigate or think about whether something could be done or be true.
  • The committee will explore the possibility of remote work for all employees.

Variants and Related Words

• Possible (adj): Able to be done or achieved; capable of existing.
  • It is possible to finish the project on time.
• Possibly (adv): Perhaps; maybe.
  • He will possibly arrive later.
• Impossibility (n): The state of being impossible; something that cannot happen or exist.
  • Achieving perfection is an impossibility.

Synonyms

• Potential: Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
• Chance: A possibility of something happening, often based on probability.
• Likelihood: The state of being probable; something that is likely to happen.
• Prospect: The possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring.

Idioms and Phrases

• Beyond the bounds of possibility: Completely impossible or unthinkable.
  • For him, failure was beyond the bounds of possibility.
• A world of possibilities: A situation offering many different opportunities or potential outcomes.
  • Graduating from university opened up a world of possibilities for her.

Noun

1. a possible alternative
   • bankruptcy is always a possibility
2. a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
   • a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
   • he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
3. capability of existing or happening or being true
   • there is a possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired
4. a future prospect or potential
   • this room has great possibilities