释义 |
possible /ˈpɒsɪb(ə)l /adjective1Able to be done or achieved: surely it’s not possible for a man to live so long? contact me as soon as possible I’d like the report this afternoon, if possible...- But we have to take this up as soon as possible for reasons I will explain when I hear from you.
- Access as soon as possible for NGOs and aid is particularly important.
- The practice direction requires all applications to be made as soon as possible and before allocation if possible.
Synonyms feasible, able to be done, practicable, viable, within the bounds/realms of possibility, attainable, achievable, realizable, within reach, workable, manageable informal on, doable 1.1 [attributive] Able to be or become; potential: he was a possible future customer...- The property comes with a range of traditional farm buildings that have possible development potential.
- The site also includes a surface car park with possible development potential.
- Then a horse dies underneath you, you crash to the ground and in an instant you go from future star to possible paraplegic.
Synonyms potential, prospective, likely, probable, could-be, would-be, aspiring 1.2 [with superlative] Having as much or as little of a specified quality as can be achieved: children need the best education possible the shortest possible route...- It provides the best set of features with the highest possible quality in maps.
- To take care of those who need the health care and as high a quality as possible.
- On the other hand the insurer has to balance the lowest possible cost with the quality of the job.
1.3 [attributive] (Of a number or score) as high as is achievable in a test, competition, or game: the team have taken just three points from a possible twelve...- For they will have the freedom to boost their quota of scores to the highest possible tally.
- To facilitate pooling, soreness scores were converted to percentages of the maximum possible score.
- It has been awarded the highest possible score for its teaching quality.
2That may exist or happen, but that is not certain or probable: the possible effects of global warming [with clause]: it is possible that he will have to return to hospital...- This does not contradict probable and possible effects, but it hides these words.
- The results are then tabulated in a series of checklists or grids to indicate possible or probable health effects.
- Moreover, pure public goods do not exist, with the possible exception of national defence.
Synonyms conceivable, plausible, imaginable, thinkable, believable, likely, potential, probable, credible, tenable, odds-on informal on the cards noun1A potential candidate for a job or team: I have marked five possibles with an asterisk...- A veteran himself at 35 he could prove to be a valuable addition to the club and a possible for the first team squad.
- Their striker, who had a knee operation during the summer, missed the probables versus possibles contest at Maine Road last weekend.
- The other players who were not in the initial tour squad because of injury problems are still possibles for the trip to Australia.
1.1 ( the possible) That which is likely or achievable: they were living right at the edge of the possible...- The first commitment must be to the dialogue process and to achieve the possible.
- Managers may be described as being too busy doing the possible to find time to reach for the difficult or impossible.
- We have done the possible, can we do better?
1.2The highest possible score, especially in a shooting competition: Mickey scored the possible...- There are possibles, sure, but it will need athletes to perform at a level well above what they have achieved so far this season.
- Seven however hopes to combat that by the busiest day of the Games when 34 gold medals will be decided on Saturday, including quite a few possibles for us in rowing and swimming.
Origin Late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin possibilis, from posse 'be able'. Rhymes compossible, impossible |