Impossibility
/ɪmˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪti/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state or quality of being impossible; something that cannot be done or occur.
/ɪmˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪti/
The state or fact of not being possible.
The doctor declared the patient's recovery an impossibility.
💡 Simply: It's like trying to catch a cloud – it's just not going to happen. An impossibility is something that can't be done, like fitting a round peg into a square hole.
👶 For kids: When something can't happen, like a cat flying, that's an impossibility!
More Examples
Despite their best efforts, completing the project within the deadline proved to be an impossibility.
The impossibility of time travel has been a long-standing concept for physicists.
How It's Used
"The impossibility of traveling to the moon was once a common belief."
"The perceived impossibility of achieving faster-than-light travel continues to fuel scientific research."
"Examining the logical impossibility of certain philosophical arguments helps to clarify their validity."
Something that is not possible; an impossibility.
/ɪmˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪti/
An impossible thing; something that cannot be done or achieved.
Building a perpetual motion machine remains an impossibility.
💡 Simply: It's a thing that cannot be done, or that cannot happen. Like solving a puzzle when you're missing pieces.
👶 For kids: Something that's not possible to happen, like a dog talking.
More Examples
The sheer scale of the challenge made success seem an impossibility.
Reaching an agreement felt like an impossibility until the final hour.
How It's Used
"The project seemed like an impossibility when they first started, but the team pulled together."
"Closing a deal that benefits both parties seems like an impossibility in this case."
"For them, their love was an impossibility."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
against all impossibilities
Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
"Against all impossibilities, the underdog team won the championship."
From Middle French impossibilité, from Late Latin impossibilitas, from Latin impossibilis ('impossible') + -ity.
Used since the late 15th century, often in religious and philosophical contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine an impossible obstacle – like flying without wings. This is the impossibility.
Word Origin
"Not possible"