pos ‧ si ‧ bly S1 W2 /ˈpɒsəbli, ˈpɒsɪbli $ ˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ possibility ≠ ↑ impossibility , the impossible, ↑ possible ; adverb : ↑ possibly ≠ ↑ impossibly ; adjective : ↑ possible ≠ ↑ impossible ]
1 . used when saying that something may be true or likely, although you are not completely certain SYN perhaps , maybe :
This last task is possibly the most difficult.
It will take three weeks, possibly longer.
‘Will you be here tomorrow?’ ‘Possibly.’
‘Was it murder?’ ‘Quite possibly (=it is very likely) .’
2 . spoken used to emphasize that you are very surprised or shocked by something, or you cannot understand it:
How could anyone possibly do such a thing?
3 . could/can you possibly spoken used when making a polite request:
Could you possibly close that window?
4 . used to emphasize that someone will do or has done everything they can to help or to achieve something:
We shall be contributing as much as we possibly can to the campaign.
Doctors did everything they possibly could to save his life.
5 . used to emphasize that you cannot do something, or that something cannot or could not happen or be done
can’t/couldn’t possibly
I can’t possibly allow you to go home in this weather.
She couldn’t possibly have heard what was said.