possibly

possibly
pos|si|bly [ `pasəbli ] adverb ***
1. ) likely to happen or be true, but not certain:
There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm.
Do we have enough money to get a hotel room? Possibly.
quite/very possibly: He is quite possibly the most experienced climber in the world.
2. ) used for emphasizing your surprise or shock at something:
can/could someone possibly: What could I possibly have that you want?
How can anyone possibly spend that long in the shower?
a ) used for emphasizing that someone has tried extremely hard to do something:
She's done everything she could possibly think of to help.
b ) always in negatives used for emphasizing that something cannot happen or cannot be done:
You can't possibly ask them to risk their lives.
3. ) SPOKEN used for asking someone to do something that you think might not be convenient for them:
can/could someone possibly do something?: Could you possibly give me a ride to work?

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Possibly — Pos si*bly, adv. In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may recover. [1913 Webster] Can we . . . possibly his love… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • possibly — [päs′ə blē] adv. 1. by any possible means; in any case [it can t possibly work] 2. by some possibility; perhaps; maybe [it may possibly be so] …   English World dictionary

  • possibly — late 14c., from POSSIBLE (Cf. possible) + LY (Cf. ly) (2) …   Etymology dictionary

  • possibly — [adv] by chance; in some way at all, by any chance, by any means, conceivably, could be, God willing*, if possible, in any way, likely, maybe, not impossibly, peradventure, perchance, perhaps, probably, within realm of possibility; concepts… …   New thesaurus

  • possibly — ► ADVERB 1) perhaps. 2) in accordance with what is possible …   English terms dictionary

  • possibly — [[t]pɒ̱sɪbli[/t]] ♦♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v (vagueness) You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or might happen. Exercise will not only lower blood pressure but possibly protect against heart… …   English dictionary

  • possibly — adverb 1 used when saying that something may be true or likely, although you do not know exactly; perhaps: “Are you coming with us tomorrow?” “Possibly. I m not sure yet.” | This novel is his most accessible, and possibly his most beautiful, book …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • possibly — pos|si|bly W2S1 [ˈpɔsıbli US ˈpa: ] adv 1.) used when saying that something may be true or likely, although you are not completely certain = ↑perhaps, maybe ↑maybe ▪ This last task is possibly the most difficult. ▪ It will take three weeks,… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • possibly */*/*/ — UK [ˈpɒsəblɪ] / US [ˈpɑsəblɪ] adverb 1) likely to happen or be true, but not certain There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm. Do we have enough money to get a car? Possibly. quite/very possibly: He is quite possibly the… …   English dictionary

  • possibly*/*/*/ — [ˈpɒsəbli] adv likely to happen or be true, but not certain There is a chance of showers today and possibly a thunderstorm.[/ex] ‘Do we have enough money to get a car? ‘Possibly. [/ex] He is quite possibly the most experienced climber in the… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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