possibly

adverb

pos·​si·​bly ˈpä-sə-blē How to pronounce possibly (audio)
1
: in a possible manner : by any possibility
that's all she could possibly do
2
: by merest chance : perhaps
possibly he will recover
3
: it is possible or imaginable : conceivably
a political libel which may possibly damage meG. B. Shaw

Examples of possibly in a Sentence

he may possibly recover after such a serious mistake, but it doesn't seem likely
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The wound will need to be monitored and possibly treated again, according to the post, but early signs of the antibiotics working against the infection have given officials hope to Plai Sarika’s possibility of recovery. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025 Not so long ago, there was hope that major pension reform could happen sometime this year, possibly by the end of the spring legislative session. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 The carotenoids in pistachios reduce oxidative stress, and the fiber and fats in pistachios benefit nutrient absorption and, possibly, gut health. Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025 The researchers instead relied on the ages of animal fossils found alongside it, estimating the specimen to be either between 10,000 and 70,000 years old or possibly as ancient as 130,000 to 190,000 years. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for possibly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of possibly was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Possibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possibly. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

possibly

adverb
pos·​si·​bly ˈpäs-ə-blē How to pronounce possibly (audio)
1
: by possible means : by any possibility
that cannot possibly be true
2
: perhaps
may possibly recover

More from Merriam-Webster on possibly

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