possibly */*/*/

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 most experienced climber in the world.

2) used for emphasizing your surprise or shock at something
can/could someone possibly:

What could I possibly have that you want?

How can anyone possibly spend an hour in the shower?

a) used for emphasizing that someone has tried extremely hard to do something

She's done everything she could possibly think of to help.

b) [always in negatives] used for emphasizing that something cannot happen or cannot be done

You can't possibly ask them to risk their lives.

3) spoken used for asking someone to do something that you think might not be convenient for them
can/could someone possibly do something?:

Could you possibly give me a lift to work?


English dictionary. 2014.

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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 — [[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… …   English 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*/*/*/ — [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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