impossible

[ im-pos-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.
2. unable to be done, performed, effected, etc.:

   an impossible assignment.

3. incapable of being true, as a rumor.
4. not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety:

   an impossible situation.

5. utterly impracticable:

   an impossible plan.

6. hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.

   Synonyms: unmanageable, intolerable, unbearable

impossible

/ ɪmˈpɒsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being done, undertaken, or experienced
2. incapable of occurring or happening
3. absurd or inconceivable; unreasonable

   it's impossible to think of him as a bishop

4. informal.
   intolerable; outrageous

   those children are impossible

Derived Forms

• imˈpossibly, adverb
• imˈpossibleness, noun

Other Words From

• im·possi·ble·ness noun
• im·possi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impossible¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word impossibilis. See im- ², possible

Example Sentences

"It seems almost impossible to have a consistent theory of gravity combined with quantum mechanics that does not have particles like the axion," Safdi said.

From Science Daily

One head coach said England's policy is making his job "impossible".

From BBC

The suggestions that follow are undoubtedly optimistic but are neither impossible nor futile.

From Los Angeles Times

"But, those contracts also make it impossible for any newcomer in search to secure a distribution channel, and without any real possibility of reaching consumers, no one will invest in such innovation."

From BBC

“For too long parents have had this impossible choice between giving in and getting their child an addictive device or seeing their child isolated and feeling left out socially,” Ms Friedlander says.

From BBC

Related Words

• absurd
• futile
• hopeless
• impassable
• impractical
• inaccessible
• inconceivable
• insurmountable
• preposterous
• unattainable
• unimaginable
• unreasonable
• unthinkable
• unworkable
• useless