Possibly

ˈpɒsɪbli

adverbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Used to indicate that something is likely or may happen, or that something is true.

ˈpɒsɪbli

adverbneutralBeginner
General

Expressing a possibility or likelihood

She is possibly the most talented student in the class.

💡 Simply: It means 'maybe.' Like, 'Maybe it will rain today?'. The answer is possibly!

👶 For kids: Means something might happen or might be true. Like, "It's possibly going to snow!"

More Examples

2

The train is possibly delayed due to the bad weather.

3

I will possibly go to the party, depending on how I feel.

How It's Used

General

"It's possibly the best film of the year."

Scientific

"The effects are possibly related to climate change."

Idioms & expressions

as possibly as

To the greatest degree of possibility.

"We want to find the solution as possibly as we can."

From Middle English `possiblie`, from Old French `possible`, from Latin `possibilis` ('able to be done, possible').

The word 'possibly' has been used since the late 14th century to express potential or probability.

Memory tip

Think of 'possibly' as a light switch on a chance. Maybe it's on, maybe it's off.

posiblypossibily

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written