Possibly Meaning
/ˈpɒs.ə.bli/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
advPerhaps; indicates that the proposition may be true (is not certainly false) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker.
advIn the realm of possibility; indicates that the action may successfully be performed (is not impossible) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker that might limit the performance.
Sentence Examples
Get up as early as you possibly can.
He cannot possibly believe her.
It was possibly their worst performance ever.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Given her very late start, she could ____ still finish the race if she runs fast.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new treatment could ____ reduce recovery time by as much as fifty percent, researchers said.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English possible Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English possibly From possible + -ly.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“Well, everything does point to either a major epeirogenic deformation, or possibly just a simple disruption of isostasy throughout the entire plate network.”"
— 2015, N. K. Jemisin, The Fifth Season, Orbit (2016), page 274:
"That, however, is something the ZOA has seemed unwilling to do, on the theory that Bannon is a self-declared, and possibly even sincere, supporter of the Jewish state."
— 2017 November 16, Bret Stephens, “Steve Bannon Is Bad for the Jews”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Jul 2020:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Given her very late start, she could ____ still finish the race if she runs fast.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new treatment could ____ reduce recovery time by as much as fifty percent, researchers said.