Impossibility
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Something that is impossible. countable, uncountable
"Meeting the deadline is an impossibility; there is no way we can be ready in time."
- 2 an alternative that is not available wordnet
- 3 The quality of being impossible. uncountable
"1548, Edward Hall, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancastre and Yorke, London: Richard Grafton, Henry VIII, year 15, After long reasonyng, there wer certain appoynted, to declare the impossibilite of this demaunde to the Cardinal,"
- 4 incapability of existing or occurring wordnet
- 5 The state of being unable to do something. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"Here by this petition whan we say, Leade vs not into temptation, we learne to know our own impossibilitie and infirmitie, namely that we bee not able of our owne selues to with∣stand this great and mightye enemye the deuill."
Example
More examples"Every man would like to be God, if it were possible; some few find it difficult to admit the impossibility."
Etymology
From Middle French impossibilité, from Latin impossibilitās. By surface analysis, im- + possibility and impossible + -ity.
Related phrases
More for "impossibility"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.