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

“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

But defying expectations is nearly impossible, especially when it comes to adapting a property as universally beloved as the long-running Broadway musical “Wicked.”

From Salon

“It’s very sharp and it’s almost impossible to climb with bare hands,” says Hamid, the Iranian refugee who crossed it in 2019.

From BBC

"It is difficult, almost impossible. I will just try to do my best. Right now it's time to say great things about Rafa."

From BBC

She added it was “impossible to fathom” why he had agreed to drive the four boys in his car to the area.

From BBC

Related Words

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