POSSIBILITY


Meaning of POSSIBILITY in English

/ ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti; NAmE ˌpɑːs-/ noun ( pl. -ies )

1.

[ U , C ] possibility (of sth / of doing sth) | possibility (that ... ) the fact that sth might exist or happen, but is not certain to :

There is now no possibility that she will make a full recovery.

He refused to rule out the possibility of a tax increase.

It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we'll all meet again one day.

Bankruptcy is a real possibility if sales don't improve.

What had seemed impossible now seemed a distinct possibility .

OPP impossibility

2.

[ C , usually pl. ] one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation :

to explore / consider / investigate a wide range of possibilities

to exhaust all the possibilities

Selling the house is just one possibility that is open to us.

The possibilities are endless .

➡ note at option

3.

[ C , usually pl. ] something that gives you a chance to achieve sth

SYN opportunity :

The course offers a range of exciting possibilities for developing your skills.

4.

possibilities [ pl. ] if sth has possibilities , it can be improved or made successful

SYN potential :

The house is in a bad state of repair but it has possibilities.

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English : from Old French possibilite , from late Latin possibilitas , from possibilis able to be done, from posse be able.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.