possibilité
/pɔ.si.bi.li.te/
The English word 'possibility' is translated into French as possibilité.
possibilité is a noun used to refer to a thing that is possible or something that may occur. You can use the noun phrase la possibilité to express the concept of possibility, or use the verb phrase être possible to say 'to be possible'.
Meaning: a thing possible, that which may take place or come into being (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of possibilité is possibilités.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɔ.si.bi.li.te/ (5 syllables)
Did you know?
- Using the phrase il est possible que requires the following verb to be in the subjunctive mood, a grammatical shift that does not exist in English.
- The French language distinguishes between a general possibilité and an éventualité, the latter specifically referring to a possibility that is a contingency or a 'just in case' scenario.
- While possibilité is a noun, the phrase si possible is used as a social lubricant to soften requests, making it a pragmatic tool for politeness rather than a literal question of ability.
Examples in context
- Est-ce une possibilité ?Is that a possibility?This sentence is useful for asking if something is a possibility using possibilité.Tatoeba #6287675 by Aiji, translation #2547081 by CK
- Cela reste une possibilité.That remains a possibility.This sentence is useful for stating that something remains a possibility using possibilité.Tatoeba #6167085 by Aiji, translation #4501716 by CK
- J'ai une autre possibilité.I have another possibility.This sentence is useful for stating that you have another possibility using possibilité.Tatoeba #6886956 by felix63, translation #6887285 by Eccles17
- Il y a une possibilité que le projet réussisse.There is a possibility that the project will succeed.
- Est-il possible de trouver une solution avant demain ?Is it possible to find a solution by tomorrow?
- Il est possible que nous arrivions en retard.It is possible that we might arrive late.
- Peut-être qu'il viendra à la fête ce soir.Maybe he will come to the party tonight.
- Lucas peut arriver en retard, c'est possible.Lucas might arrive late, it's possible.
- Y'a des chances qu'il réussisse son examen.There's a chance he will pass his exam.
- 80 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- NathanOn pourrait aller au cinéma.We could go to the cinema.
- EmmaC'est une excellente possibilité, Nathan.That is an excellent possibility, Nathan.
- NathanOn vérifie les horaires ?Shall we check the times?
- EmmaOui, je regarde ça tout de suite.Yes, I'll look at that right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry possibilité, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
