Impossible: meaning, definitions and examples

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impossible

 

[ ɪmˈpɒsɪbl ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

to achieve or do something that has never been done before

Something that is impossible cannot be achieved or done, usually because it is too difficult or because there is not enough time.

Synonyms

unachievable, unattainable, undoable

Examples of usage

  • It's impossible to predict the future.
  • Winning the lottery twice is virtually impossible.
  • She faced an impossible task of finishing the project in one day.
Context #2 | Adjective

something that cannot exist or be done according to the laws of nature

Something that is impossible cannot exist or be done according to the laws of nature, and therefore it is not possible.

Synonyms

inconceivable, unimaginable, unthinkable

Examples of usage

  • It's impossible for humans to live on Mars without significant technological advancements.
  • The idea of time travel is often considered impossible based on our current understanding of physics.

Translations

Translations of the word "impossible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impossível

🇮🇳 असंभव

🇩🇪 unmöglich

🇮🇩 mustahil

🇺🇦 неможливий

🇵🇱 niemożliwy

🇯🇵 不可能 (ふかのう)

🇫🇷 impossible

🇪🇸 imposible

🇹🇷 imkansız

🇰🇷 불가능한 (bulganghan)

🇸🇦 مستحيل

🇨🇿 nemožný

🇸🇰 nemožný

🇨🇳 不可能 (bù kěnéng)

🇸🇮 nemogoče

🇮🇸 ómögulegt

🇰🇿 мүмкін емес

🇬🇪 შეუძლებელი

🇦🇿 mümkünsüz

🇲🇽 imposible

Etymology

The word 'impossible' originated from the Latin word 'impossibilis,' which is a combination of 'im-' (meaning 'not') and 'possibilis' (meaning 'possible'). The concept of impossibility has been explored in various philosophical and scientific contexts throughout history, with thinkers such as Aristotle and Descartes discussing the limits of what is possible. The notion of impossibility continues to be a topic of interest in fields such as physics, mathematics, and philosophy.

See also: impossibility, impossibly, possibility.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,165, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.