possible

Etymology

From Middle English possible, from Old French possible, from Latin possibilis (“possible”), from posse, possum (“to be able”); see power. Displaced Old English mihtlīċ, which was cognate with Dutch mogelijk (“possible”) and German möglich (“possible”).

adj

1. (usually not comparable) Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.
   Rain tomorrow is possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.
   It's not just possible, it's probable that there will be rain tomorrow.
2. (comparable) Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.
   It's possible for anyone to learn to play the bagpipes.
   And success in minor degree, in the sense in which he uses the term "success," is only somewhat more possible than success in winning the White House chair. 1901, Louis Freeland Smith, The Public, volume 4, page 438
   Peace between Israel and the Arab countries is "more possible than any time before," says ex-Arab League U.N. ambassador Clovis Maskoud. September 10 1993, Lee Michael Katz, “Expectant Mideast hopes to bear twin peace deals”, in USA Today, page 2A
   Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism. 2013-06-29, “A punch in the gut”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, pages 72–3
3. Being considered, e.g. for a position.
   Jones and Smith are both possible for the opening in sales.
4. Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

noun

1. A possible one.
2. (colloquial, rare) A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.
   Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.
3. (rare) A particular event that may happen.