Probable Meaning
/ˈpɹɒbəbl̩/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjLikely or most likely to be true.
adjLikely to happen.
Sentence Examples
It is probable that he will win the speech contest.
It is probable that she will come.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to the heavy rain, it is ____ that the outdoor event will be canceled.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is ____ that the project will be completed on time given the current rate of progress.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English probable, from Old French probable, from Latin probābilis (“that may be proved, credible”), from probāre (“to test, examine”); see probe, probity, prove. Compare recent doublet provable.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A major accident and embezzlement of its funds seem to have been the only disasters it escaped; and as to the latter, the most probable reason is that it never had any quantity of funds worth embezzling."
— 1959 October 26, Michael Robbins, “The Isle of Wight (Newport Junction) Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 721:
"probable evidence"
— 1765–1769, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, (please specify |book=I to IV), Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Clarendon Press, →OCLC:
"From an examination of the Teutonic words for "temple" Grimm has made it probable that amongst the Germans the oldest sanctuaries were natural woods."
— 1890, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, volume 2, page 8:
"Four of the 32 251 Ku aircraft turned back, but the other 28 fought for 20 minutes against a reported 100 enemy aircraft, claiming 18 destroyed and five probables."
— 2013, Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa, Christopher Shores, Japanese Naval Fighter Aces 1932-45, page 57:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to the heavy rain, it is ____ that the outdoor event will be canceled.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is ____ that the project will be completed on time given the current rate of progress.