noun · neutral
possibility
UK/ˌpɒs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/US/ˌpɑː.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/pos·si·BIL·i·ty
Band 5-6speakingtask2
a chance that something might happen or be true
Examples
“There is a real possibility that the exam will be postponed.”
“We should explore every possibility before deciding.”
“The possibility of rain means we should bring umbrellas.”
Band 8 sentence
“Given the current evidence, the possibility of a policy change this year seems quite real.”
Collocations
- strong/real possibility
- explore the possibility of
- there is a possibility that
Word family
possible adjectivepossibly adverbimpossibility noun
Common mistakes
have a big possibility→have a strong/high possibility
possibility of do→possibility of doing
Say it for a higher band
5chance→6likelihood→7+possibility
Synonyms
chance
likelihood
Easily confused
probability
“There's a high probability that their flight will be delayed.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -ity
Learn it with its set