Tra từ possible - Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

- possible or probable or certain
1 possible
2 probable
3 certain
4 not certain

1 possible
- if it is possible for sth to happen, or if it is possible that sth is true, it may, might or could happen or be true
We may be going to Thailand in the summer if we can get some time off work. ◎ Police think the driver may have been drunk when he crashed the car. ◎ I might come to the film if I'm not too busy. ◎ 'Where's Peter?' 'He might be upstairs.' ◎ 'What was that bird that just flew past?' 'I'm not sure, but it could have been a robin.'
- if it is not possible for sth to happen, or if it is not possible that sth is true, it can't or couldn't happen or be true
They can't have arrived already - the journey takes more than five hours. ◎ She can't be forty - I just don't believe it! ◎ It couldn't have been an eagle - it was much too small.
- if sth may happen or be true, it is possible
'Will she get the job?' 'It's possible but not very likely.'
- a thing that might happen or might be true: possibility of sth/that ※¦ (noun C/U)
There's a strong possibility of rain tomorrow. ◎ There's no possibility that we'll get there before five.
- when you are not sure that sth will happen or is true, you can say perhaps, maybe, possibly
'Why are his cheeks red?' 'Perhaps he's been running.' ◎ 'Will I see you tomorrow?' 'Maybe.' ◎ 'Will you be late home tonight?' 'Possibly. It depends on how much work I can get done.'
- when you do not know if sth will happen or is true, you can say it's hard to say
'Doctor, when do you think I can leave hospital?' 'It's hard to say at the moment, but I'll have a better idea when I've had a look at your X-rays.'
- the possibility of sth happening (usually sth that you want): chance of sth/that ※¦ (noun C/U)
There's a chance of winning a prize. ◎ I felt I had little chance of getting the job.
- to have a chance of doing sth: stand* a chance (of sth)
Nobody thought he stood much chance of winning the race.
- the possibility of sth bad happening: risk (noun C/U)
a risk of losing your investment ◎ Is there any risk of the bomb exploding? ◎ At the risk of boring you, here are all the photos we took on holiday last year.
- to do sth when you know the result may be bad: run* the risk of sth
If we don't leave now we run the risk of missing the plane.

2 probable
- if you expect sth to happen or be true, it is probable (adverb probably)
It's quite probable that she'll get the job instead of me. ◎ I'll probably be home at about 6 o'clock depending on the traffic.
- a thing that will probably happen or be true: probability (noun C/U)
There's a strong probability that the match will have to be cancelled if this bad weather continues. ◎ There's little probability of a good harvest.
- if sth is probable or expected, it is likely; you can say it is likely (that) ※¦, or there is likely to be ※¦, or sb/sth is likely to do sth; the state of being likely: likelihood (noun U)
the likely result of the inquiry ◎ Is it likely that you'll get the job? ◎ She's not likely to do anything stupid. ◎ There's no likelihood that taxes will go up.
- very likely: more than likely
- to seem probable: look as if ※¦, look like ※¦
It looks as if it's going to rain. ◎ It looks like rain.
- if you think that sth is very likely, you can say that there must ※¦, or that sb/sth must ※¦, or you can say (informal) I bet (that) ※¦
There must be some mistake! ◎ You must be joking! ◎ He must have been cold without a coat in this weather. ◎ I bet she won't phone - she never keeps a promise.
- if you think that sth is very unlikely, you can say that there can't/couldn't ※¦, or that sb/sth can't/couldn't ※¦
There can't have been ten people in such a small car. ◎ You can't be serious! ◎ He surely couldn't have forgotten my birthday!
- to think that sth is likely or probably true: suppose (that ※¦), imagine (that ※¦), suspect (that) ※¦
I imagine you'd like a rest after your long journey. ◎ They'll sack me now, I suppose.
- the feeling that sth is likely: suspicion
I had a slight suspicion that she was not telling the truth.
- to say that you think sth is probably true, you can say presumably, no doubt, I expect (that ※¦), (especially AmE) I guess (that ※¦)
If the train was late arriving, it will presumably be late leaving too. ◎ You are no doubt wondering why I have asked you here. ◎ I guess/expect you'd like to have an early night.
- if sth is probably not true or will probably not happen, it is improbable, unlikely, not/hardly likely
It seems improbable that house prices will rise. ◎ The President's personal telephone number is hardly likely to be in the phone book.

3 certain
- if sth is definitely the case, it is certain (adverb certainly); you can say it is certain (that) ※¦, or there is certain/sure/bound to be ※¦, or sb/sth is certain/sure/bound to do sth
One thing is certain - I'm not going out alone at night again. ◎ You certainly did the right thing. ◎ It is certain that prices will rise. ◎ There are sure to be a lot of accidents in this fog. ◎ There's bound to be a long wait at the airport. ◎ He's certain to be prime minister one day. ◎ The weather's bound to get better in a couple of days.
- if it is certain that you will get sth, you are sure of sth
Whatever happens, you can be sure of a lot of help and support from your friends and family.
- fixed and unlikely to change: definite
I have not been given a definite date for my interview yet.
- showing sth to be true or certain: conclusive
We now have conclusive proof of his guilt. ◎ to prove sth conclusively
- certainly: definitely, undoubtedly, for sure/certain
She definitely needs hospital treatment. ◎ He was undoubtedly drunk - it was obvious to us all. ◎ You're going to need a lot of help - that's for sure.
- something that is certain: certainty (noun C/U)
It's an absolute certainty that we'll go out of business unless our orders improve. ◎ There's no certainty that any of us will have a job in six months time.
- if you believe that sth is certain, you are sure (of sth), sure (that) ※¦, certain (of sth), certain (that) ※¦
We must be sure of our facts before we make a decision. ◎ I feel sure I've met him somewhere before. ◎ Are you absolutely sure that you know what you're doing? ◎ I thought I wanted this job, but now I'm not so sure. ◎ She's not certain it's the same man.
- completely certain: positive (that) ※¦, convinced (that) ※¦
He was positive that somebody was following him. ◎ She was convinced he was going to win the race.
- the state of being sure: certainty (noun U)
He speaks with such certainty that you feel he must be right.

4 not certain
- if sth is not definitely the case, it is uncertain
The survival of the firm is very uncertain. ◎ It's very uncertain whether we'll still be here next year.
- if sth is probably not true or probably will not happen, it is doubtful, unlikely
It's very doubtful that the president will resign.
- to give an answer or opinion without being sure of all the facts: guess (sth), speculate (about/on sth); noun: guess
Can you guess how many people turned up at the meeting? ◎ I can only speculate what may have happened last night. ◎ My guess is that she'll agree to it.
- if you are not sure about sth, you are uncertain about/of sth, unsure (about/of sth), doubtful (about sth) (adverb doubtfully)
If you are uncertain of anything, please ask for more details. ◎ George seemed rather uncertain of his facts. ◎ I was unsure about inviting a stranger into my house. ◎ She was doubtful about whether to go on holiday with them or not. ◎ 'Are you sure that's right?' she asked doubtfully.
- the state of being uncertain: uncertainty (noun U), doubt (noun C/U), question (noun U)
If you have any doubts, we'll discuss the matter again. ◎ There is no doubt that we have a problem. ◎ There is no question about it; everything has already been decided.
- to think that sth probably is not true or will not happen: doubt sth
'Do you think it'll rain tonight?' 'I doubt it.' ◎ She doubted that she would ever see him again. ◎ I doubt whether I am explaining this very well.
- to express or feel doubt about sth: question sth
Are you questioning my honesty?
- to doubt whether you can trust sb or believe sth: suspect sth
I began to suspect his reasons for being so generous.
- doubting that sth is true, correct, etc: sceptical (AmE skeptical); a person who doubts a lot: sceptic (AmE skeptic)
The government has made lots of promises, but I'm sceptical about its ability to keep them.
※ making sure
- to do what is necessary in order to be sure that sth is safe, correct or in good condition: check (sth), make sure/certain (that ※¦), (more formal) ensure (AmE insure) (that) ※¦
We'd better check what time the train leaves. ◎ She looked back at the house to make sure that the windows were all closed. ◎ Please ensure that you have all the necessary papers with you.
※ MORE ...
- when sth is not very likely to happen, but you try to do it anyway, you do it on the off chance
I didn't think you'd be at home, but I called in on the off chance. ◎ I'll speak to her again on the off chance that she has changed her mind.