# possible

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɒs.ə.bəl/ · frequency rank #438

## Definitions
1. Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.
2. Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.
3. Being considered, e.g. for a position.
4. Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

## Etymology
From Middle English possible, from Old French possible, from Latin possibilis (“possible”), from posse, possum (“to be able”); see power. Displaced Middle English acumendlic (“possible”), from Old English ācumendlīċ (“possible”). Compare also Old English mihtelīċ (“strong, capable, powerful, possible”), which was cognate with Old High German mahtlīh (“possible”) and Old Norse máttulígr (“mighty, possible”). Compare also Dutch mogelijk (“possible”) and German möglich (“possible”).

## Easily confused with
- **possibly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/possible-vs-possibly)
- **Popsicle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/popsicle-vs-possible)
- **passable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passable-vs-possible)

## Common misspellings (11)
`opssible`, `posible`, `posisble`, `possable`, `possbile`, `possibble`, `possibel`, `possiblle`, `possilbe`, `ppossible`, `psosible`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/possible