possibility

possibility
noun
1 (C, U) something that may happen or may be true
(+ of): the possibility of an enemy attack | a distinct/real possibility (=something that is quite likely to happen): A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility | there's a possibility (that) (=used to say that you think something might happen or be true): There's always a possibility that he might go back to Seattle.
2 (usually plural) something that gives you an opportunity to do what you want
(+ for): The possibilities for improvement are endless. | a world of possibilities (=many opportunities): China's economic expansion has opened up a new world of possibilities for Western companies.
3 exhaust all the possibilities to try every possible way of doing something
4 have possibilities if something has possibilities it could be made into something much better: The house has great possibilities!
—see also: within the realms of possibility realm (2)

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Possibility — is the condition or fact of being possible. The Latin origins of the word hint at ability. Possibility also refers to something that could happen , that is not precluded by the facts, but usually not probable. Impossible denotes that something is …   Wikipedia

  • possibility — I noun achievability, anticipation, attainability, availability, chance, conceivability, conceivableness, expectance, expectancy, expectation, facultas, favorable opportunity, favorable prospect, feasibility, gamble, hope, likelihood, opportunity …   Law dictionary

  • Possibility — Pos si*bil i*ty, n.; pl. {Possibilities}. [F. possibilit[ e], L. possibilitas.] 1. The quality or state of being possible; the power of happening, being, or existing. All possibility of error. Hooker. Latent possibilities of excellence. Johnson.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • possibility — late 14c., “condition of being possible,” from O.Fr. possibilité (13c.), from L. possibilitas, from possibilis (see POSSIBLE (Cf. possible)). Meaning “a possible thing or substance” is from c.1400. Related: Possibilities …   Etymology dictionary

  • possibility — [n] feasibility, likelihood; chance achievability, action, attainableness, break, circumstance, contingency, fair shake*, fifty fifty*, fling*, fluke*, fortuity, happening, hazard, hope, incident, instance, liability, likeliness, occasion,… …   New thesaurus

  • possibility — ► NOUN (pl. possibilities) 1) a thing that is possible. 2) the state or fact of being possible. 3) (possibilities) unspecified qualities of a promising nature …   English terms dictionary

  • possibility — [päs΄ə bil′ə tē] n. [ME possibilite < LL possibilitas] 1. the quality or condition of being possible 2. pl. possibilities something that is possible …   English World dictionary

  • possibility */*/*/ — UK [ˌpɒsəˈbɪlətɪ] / US [ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətɪ] noun Word forms possibility : singular possibility plural possibilities Get it right: possibility: The noun possibility is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern the/a possibility of doing something …   English dictionary

  • possibility — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ exciting, interesting, intriguing ▪ endless, many ▪ The resort offers endless possibilities for entertainment. ▪ only …   Collocations dictionary

  • possibility — n. 1) to raise a possibility 2) to exclude, rule out a possibility 3) a good, strong; remote, slim possibility 4) a possibility of (there is a strong possibility of snow) 5) a possibility that + clause (there s a strong possibility that the… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • possibility — pos|si|bil|i|ty W2S2 [ˌpɔsıˈbılıti US ˌpa: ] n plural possibilities 1.) [U and C] if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen ▪ There s always a possibility that he might go… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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