possibility

英 [ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti]

美 [ˌpɑːsəˈbɪləti]

n.  可能; 可能性; 可选择的方法; 机会; 契机

复数：possibilities　

高考CET4CET6考研TEM4TEM8法律

Oxford 3000 / Collins.4 / BNC.1030 / COCA.1195

牛津词典

noun

• 可能；可能性
  the fact that sth might exist or happen, but is not certain to
  1. There is now no possibility that she will make a full recovery.
     她现在已不可能完全康复。
  2. He refused to rule out the possibility of a tax increase.
     他拒绝排除增税的可能性。
  3. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we'll all meet again one day.
     我们大家将来有一天再度聚在一起，并非绝不可能。
  4. Bankruptcy is a real possibility if sales don't improve.
     如果销售情况得不到改善，真有破产的可能。
  5. What had seemed impossible now seemed a distinct possibility .
     过去看似不可能的事，现在显然有可能了。
• 可选择的方法
  one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation
  1. to explore/consider/investigate a wide range of possibilities
     探究 / 考虑 / 调查各种可能的情况
  2. to exhaust all the possibilities
     用尽一切可能的手段
  3. Selling the house is just one possibility that is open to us.
     卖掉房子只是我们可以选择的其中一种做法。
  4. The possibilities are endless .
     可想的办法是无穷的。
• 机会；契机
  something that gives you a chance to achieve sth
  1. The course offers a range of exciting possibilities for developing your skills.
     这门课程可提供一整套新鲜活泼的技能训练。
• 潜力；改进的余地
  if sth has possibilities , it can be improved or made successful
  1. The house is in a bad state of repair but it has possibilities.
     这房子虽亟待修缮，但仍有可资利用的价值。

柯林斯词典

• N-COUNT 可能性；可能
  If you say there is apossibility thatsomething is the case orthatsomething will happen, you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
  1. We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot the teeth...
     我们以前完全不担心吃糖果有可能会蛀牙。
  2. Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
     极有可能征收食物税。
• N-COUNT （一种）可能；可能的事
  Apossibilityis one of several different things that could be done.
  1. The government now owns a lot of our land — one possibility would be to compensate us with other property...
     政府现在占了我们的大量土地，一种可能是用其他地产来对我们作出补偿。
  2. There were several possibilities open to each manufacturer.
     每个制造商都可以有几种不同的选择。
• PHRASE 可能的事；能做到的事
  You can say 'It is not beyond the realms of possibility' or 'It is not beyond the bounds of possibility' when you are stating something that you believe is possibly true, but which other people might consider unlikely or impossible.
  1. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that the security services do bug important public figures.
     安全部门完全有可能窃听重要公众人物的谈话。

Note that you do not usepossibilityin sentences like 'I had the possibility to do it'. The words you need areopportunityorchance.Opportunityis more formal.Later Donald had the opportunity of driving the car… The people of Northern Ireland would have the chance to shape their own future.
注意不要说：I had the possibility to do it，而要用opportunity或chance。opportunity一词比较正式，例如：Later Donald had the opportunity of driving the car（后来，唐纳德有机会开这辆车了），The people of Northern Ireland would have the chance to shape their own future（北爱尔兰人民会有机会决定自己的未来的）。

英英释义

noun

• a possible alternative
  1. bankruptcy is always a possibility
  Synonym:possible actionopening
• a tentative insight into the natural world
  1. a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
  2. he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
  Synonym:hypothesistheory
• a future prospect or potential
  1. this room has great possibilities
• capability of existing or happening or being true
  1. there is a possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired
  Synonym:possibleness

双语例句

• We'll see. It's a possibility.
  再说吧，可能会的。
• The possibility of failure did cross my mind.
  我的确想过有失败的可能。
• I cannot entirely exclude the possibility that some form of pressure was applied to the neck.
  我不能完全排除颈部受到某种压迫的可能性。
• This is a target which is surely within the realm of possibility.
  这是一个完全有可能实现的目标。
• Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
  极有可能征收食物税。
• The possibility of another stalking horse challenge this autumn cannot be ruled out.
  今年秋季可能会再次推出一名掩护性候选人出来挑战，不排除这种可能性。
• There is the possibility that hypothermia can go unrecognized
  人们有可能察觉不到体温的过低。
• I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.
  我不愿接受她有可能离开的事实。
• We recognized the possibility and took steps to prevent it happening.
  我们认识到了这种可能性，并且采取了一些预防措施。
• We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot the teeth
  我们以前完全不担心吃糖果有可能会蛀牙。