possibility

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noun

British English pronunciation: possibility

/ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/

singular	possibility
plural	possibilities

Related dictionary definitions

hold out a possibility/prospect/promise etc

Get It Right!

1
[countable/uncountable] the chance that something might happen or be true
Another possibility is that we’ll go to Mexico instead.
One possibility for the weekend is to rent a car and go to the beach.
possibility of:
Is everyone aware of the possibility of injury when skateboarding?
possibility (that):
There is a strong possibility that they will win the next election.
rule out a possibility (=decide that something is not a possibility):
We can’t rule out the possibility that it may happen again.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of possibility
1. a.
  [countable] something that might happen or be true
  real/distinct possibility:
  War is a very real possibility.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of possibility
Collocations: possibility
▪ allow for, consider, dismiss, exclude, explore, ignore, look into/at, open up, raise, reject, rule out
2
[countable] a likely or suitable choice among several possible people or things
We need to examine other possibilities before we book the flights.
possibility for:
He’s been eliminated as a possibility for the job.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of possibility
3
possibilities
[plural] opportunities to develop in a successful, interesting, or exciting way
This old building has some intriguing possibilities.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of possibility

Get It Right!: possibility

The noun possibility is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern the/a possibility of doing something:

✗ New technology offers the possibility to put very large dictionaries onto a single compact disc.

✓ New technology offers the possibility of putting very large dictionaries onto a single compact disc.

✗ With more flexible working hours, staff now have the possibility to build their own working conditions.

✓ With more flexible working hours, staff now have the possibility of building their own working conditions.

You can also use possibility in the following patterns:

▪ possibility of something

▪ possibility that

The possibility of a move to the coast was considered.

There is a real possibility that the government could be defeated.

This is the British English definition of possibility. View American English definition of possibility.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

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