possibly
English meaning: Possibly
Definition
(modifying a clause or predicate) Perhaps; 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.
Example
“It was possibly the costliest mistake in the organization's history.”
Another example: “I can't possibly finish all this work before lunch.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral; a very common adverb expressing uncertainty or qualified possibility ('possibly true', 'as quickly as possibly'). Also used to soften statements or, with 'can/could', to emphasise the limit of ability.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'possible' (from Latin 'possibilis', from 'posse', to be able) plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'; 15th century.
Synonyms
- peradventure
- perchance
- perhaps
- maybe
- potentially
Antonyms / Opposites
- impossibly
- certainly
- definitely
Related Words
Common Collocations
- possibly could
- quite possibly
- possibly not
- as soon as possibly
- could possibly
- possibly the best
Word Forms
possibly (adv); possible (adj); possibility (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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