# possibly

Pronunciation: US say "PAH-suh-blee" /ˈpɑsəbli/; UK say "PO-si-blee" /ˈpɒsɪbli/

## Adverb

1. Perhaps; used to mark a statement as one that may be true and is not ruled out by what the speaker knows.
   - Simple: Used to say that something might be true, though you are not sure.
   - _He is possibly the most experienced engineer in the building._
   - _The missing keys are possibly still in the car from last night._
2. Used to indicate that an action lies within what can be done, that performing it is not impossible.
   - Simple: Used with 'can' or 'could' to say whether something is able to be done at all.
   - _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._
3. Used to soften a request or offer phrased as a question, typically after could or can, so that it sounds more courteous.
   - Simple: Added to a question, often after could or can, to make asking for something or offering something sound more polite.
   - _Could you possibly send me the report before Friday's meeting?_
   - _Could I possibly tempt you with another slice of pie?_

## Origin

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

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/possibly (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).