DictionaryAI

possibly

adverb
PAH-suh-blee/ˈpɑsəbli/UKPO-si-blee/ˈpɒsɪbli/

3 meanings of possibly

Practice

  1. 1
    perhapsadverb
    Perhaps; used to mark a statement as one that may be true and is not ruled out by what the speaker knows.

    He is possibly the most experienced engineer in the building.

    The missing keys are possibly still in the car from last night.

    UsageOften softens a superlative: possibly the best player. It can also open a sentence: Possibly, they will win.

    Similarpotentially, conceivably

    Oppositecertainly, undoubtedly, inevitably

    Note

    Here the adverb hedges a whole statement rather than an action. It sits between two poles: certainly not on one side, certainly or undoubtedly on the other. Perhaps, maybe and conceivably come closest in meaning.

  2. 2
    can be doneadverb
    Used to indicate that an action lies within what can be done, that performing it is not impossible.

    There was no way she could possibly reach the summit before dark.

    We can't possibly seat three hundred guests in such a small hall.

    UsageUsually with can or could, most often negative: can't possibly finish, couldn't possibly be there.

    Note

    You can't possibly win and I couldn't possibly be there on time rule an action out as beyond reach; I couldn't possibly cheat on my wife uses the same frame for what one refuses to do. In the positive (they could possibly win) it allows that the outcome is not out of reach, close to the "perhaps" meaning but about ability rather than truth.

  3. 3
    polite requestadverb
    Used to soften a request or offer phrased as a question, typically after could or can, so that it sounds more courteous.

    Could you possibly send me the report before Friday's meeting?

    Could I possibly tempt you with another slice of pie?

    UsageMakes a request or offer phrased as a question politer: Could you possibly...? or Could I possibly...?

    Similarperhaps

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of possibly apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from "possible" combined with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts