possibility

Everyday

1. Something that might happen or might be true. tree →
2. The chance that something can happen: «There is a possibility of rain.» tree →
3. A choice or option you could take. tree →
4. possibilities (plural) The good things that something could become: «The old shed has possibilities.» tree →

In the lessons

In maths, pupils list all the possibilities (outcomes) of rolling a dice or tossing a coin to find probability. In everyday talk and safety it means something to plan for: «the possibility of a fire». Phrases: «a strong possibility», «rule out the possibility», «within the realms of possibility», «endless possibilities».

Examples

• There is a possibility of snow tomorrow. tree →
• We listed every possibility when we rolled two dice. tree →
• Is there any possibility we can stay up late? tree →
• The detective did not rule out the possibility of a second thief. tree →
• Moving to Canada is a real possibility for our family. tree →
• A blank page is full of possibilities. tree →
• Tossing a coin has two possibilities: heads or tails. tree →
• Always think about the possibility of a slippery floor. tree →

Note

Countable; plural «possibilities» (y becomes ies). Adjective «possible», adverb «possibly». In maths problems, «how many possibilities» asks you to count all the outcomes; if each is equally likely, probability = favourable possibilities divided by all possibilities.