pos ‧ si ‧ bil ‧ i ‧ ty S2 W2 /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti, ˌpɒsɪˈbɪləti $ ˌpɑː-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural possibilities )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ possibility ≠ ↑ impossibility , the impossible, ↑ possible ; adverb : ↑ possibly ≠ ↑ impossibly ; adjective : ↑ possible ≠ ↑ impossible ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] 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 back to Seattle.
the possibility of an enemy attack
There was no possibility of changing the voting procedure.
A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility.
Tomorrow, there’s a remote possibility of snow on high ground.
They might get married – it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility.
The study raises the possibility that dieting is bad for your health.
2 . [countable usually plural] an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried
possibilities for/of (doing) something
exciting possibilities for reducing costs
Archer began to explore the possibilities of opening a club in the city.
The US has not yet exhausted all diplomatic possibilities (=tried everything possible) .
the range of possibilities offered to students
3 . have possibilities if something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better SYN have potential :
The house has great possibilities.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
▪ a strong/good possibility (=something that is very likely)
There is a strong possibility that the drug causes similar damage in humans.
▪ a real possibility (=something that is quite likely)
At this moment, a recession is a real possibility.
▪ a distinct possibility (=something that is quite likely)
I knew there was a distinct possibility that I might fail my degree.
▪ a remote/faint possibility (=something that is not very likely)
There's no point worrying about such a remote possibility.
■ verbs
▪ a possibility exists
The possibility exists that he misunderstood the data.
▪ something remains a possibility
War remains a possibility.
▪ consider a possibility
Police In Glasgow are considering the possibility that the death may be drugs-related.
▪ raise a possibility (=say or show that something may happen or may be true)
The government has raised the possibility of an early election next year.
▪ rule out/exclude a possibility (=say that something will definitely not happen or is definitely not true)
We can't rule out the possibility that there will be more redundancies.
■ phrases
▪ there is a possibility that
There is a possibility that files could be lost if the system crashes.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ consider a possibility (=think about whether you should take an opportunity)
We even began to consider the possibility of moving there permanently.
▪ explore a possibility (=think carefully and find out about an opportunity)
You may want to explore the possibility of setting up your own business.
▪ offer a possibility (=make an opportunity available)
Technology offers exciting possibilities to designers.
▪ open up a possibility (=make a new opportunity available)
His recent performance opens up the possibility for him to compete in the Olympic Games.
▪ exhaust the possibilities (=try everything possible)
I was determined not to give up until I had exhausted all the possibilities.
■ adjectives
▪ new possibilities
New possibilities lay before him.
▪ exciting possibilities
The city offers many exciting possibilities for young people.
▪ tremendous possibilities (=very good or important opportunities)
This discovery opens up tremendous possibilities for cancer screening.