plausible

Everyday

1. Seeming likely to be true or reasonable, so people can believe it. tree →
2. (of a person) Good at making people believe things, sometimes when not true. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons a plausible explanation or prediction fits the facts. In maths, checking that your answer is plausible (sensible) is estimation: a child cannot be 300 cm tall. In stories and safety, a plausible liar sounds believable. Phrases: a plausible answer, a plausible excuse.

Examples

• That sounds like a plausible excuse. tree →
• Is 5 000 pupils in one class a plausible answer? No! tree →
• Give a plausible reason why the ice melted. tree →
• The story was plausible, but it was a lie. tree →
• The detective needed a plausible suspect. tree →
• It is plausible that it will rain later. tree →

Note

Adverb: plausibly. Opposite: implausible. Ends in -ible. Maths: always ask «is my answer plausible?» — compare it with an estimate.

In Jewish tradition

In science lessons a plausible explanation or prediction fits the facts. In maths, checking that your answer is plausible (sensible) is estimation: a child cannot be 300 cm tall. In stories and safety, a plausible liar sounds believable. Phrases: a plausible answer, a plausible excuse.

Examples

• The expression בְּלִי[]מָה beli[-]mah can be understood as either one word or two, with both readings being plausible and perhaps intended, and manuscripts commonly varying between the one- and two-word renditions. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Adverb: plausibly. Opposite: implausible. Ends in -ible. Maths: always ask «is my answer plausible?» — compare it with an estimate.