possibly

possibly
[[t]pɒ̱sɪbli[/t]]
♦♦
1) ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v (vagueness) You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or might happen.

Exercise will not only lower blood pressure but possibly protect against heart attacks...

They were smartly but casually dressed; possibly students...

Do you think that he could possibly be right?

Syn:
2) ADV: ADV before v (emphasis) You use possibly to emphasize that you are surprised, puzzled, or shocked by something that you have seen or heard.

It was the most unexpected piece of news one could possibly imagine...

I mean, how could they possibly eat that stuff?...

What could this possibly mean?

Syn:
conceivably
3) ADV: ADV before v (emphasis) You use possibly to emphasize that someone has tried their hardest to do something, or has done it as well as they can.

They've done everything they can possibly think of...

It's one of the nicest feelings you can possibly have.

4) ADV: with brd-neg, ADV before v (emphasis) You use possibly to emphasize that something definitely cannot happen or definitely cannot be done.

No I really can't possibly answer that!...

There's nothing more they can possibly do right...

We cannot possibly risk so many innocent lives...

That can't possibly be right.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:
, , , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Possibly — Pos si*bly, adv. In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may recover. [1913 Webster] Can we . . . possibly his love… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • possibly — [päs′ə blē] adv. 1. by any possible means; in any case [it can t possibly work] 2. by some possibility; perhaps; maybe [it may possibly be so] …   English World dictionary

  • possibly — late 14c., from POSSIBLE (Cf. possible) + LY (Cf. ly) (2) …   Etymology dictionary

  • possibly — [adv] by chance; in some way at all, by any chance, by any means, conceivably, could be, God willing*, if possible, in any way, likely, maybe, not impossibly, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, probably, within realm of possibility; concepts… …   New thesaurus

  • possibly — ► ADVERB 1) perhaps. 2) in accordance with what is possible …   English terms dictionary

  • possibly — adverb 1 used when saying that something may be true or likely, although you do not know exactly; perhaps: “Are you coming with us tomorrow?” “Possibly. I m not sure yet.” | This novel is his most accessible, and possibly his most beautiful, book …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • possibly — pos|si|bly W2S1 [ˈpɔsıbli US ˈpa: ] adv 1.) used when saying that something may be true or likely, although you are not completely certain = ↑perhaps, maybe ↑maybe ▪ This last task is possibly the most difficult. ▪ It will take three weeks,… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • possibly — pos|si|bly [ pasəbli ] adverb *** 1. ) likely to happen or be true, but not certain: There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm. Do we have enough money to get a hotel room? Possibly. quite/very possibly: He is quite possibly… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • possibly */*/*/ — UK [ˈpɒsəblɪ] / US [ˈpɑsəblɪ] adverb 1) likely to happen or be true, but not certain There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm. Do we have enough money to get a car? Possibly. quite/very possibly: He is quite possibly the… …   English dictionary

  • possibly*/*/*/ — [ˈpɒsəbli] adv likely to happen or be true, but not certain There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm.[/ex] ‘Do we have enough money to get a car? ‘Possibly. [/ex] He is quite possibly the most experienced climber in the… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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