impossible
Noun pluralimpossibles
Pluralimpossibles
- 1Not able to be done or to happen at all.
Like trying to touch the sky with your hand: it just cannot be done.
It is impossible to breathe underwater without special equipment.
Climbing that wall without ropes seemed impossible to the children.
UsageOften it is impossible to do something. To soften it, say almost impossible.
Similarunachievable, unattainable, impracticable, unfeasible, hopeless
Oppositepossible, feasible, achievable, attainable
Note
- 2So hard to deal with that you lose patience.
Like a knot that gets tighter the more you try to untie it.
My little brother was impossible all afternoon and would not listen.
The new manager is impossible when things do not go his way.
UsageMostly said about people: you're impossible!
Similarunbearable, intolerable, insufferable, unmanageable, difficult
Oppositeeasygoing, reasonable, manageable, agreeable
Note
- 3Something that cannot be done or cannot happen.
Like asking the sun to rise in the west.
He is always trying to do the impossible.
Asking for snow in summer is asking for the impossible.
UsageUsually the impossible: do the impossible.
Note
Less common meanings
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English impossible, which breaks down into im- plus possible.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- English impossible comes from Middle English impossible. en.wiktionary.org
- Middle English borrowed impossible from Old French, ultimately from Latin impossibilis. The English parts im- and possible provide an equivalent analysis, rather than the historical formation. en.wiktionary.org