First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
impossible
adjective im·pos·si·ble \(ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl\
: unable to be done or to happen : not possible
: very difficult
of a person : very difficult to deal with : very irritating or annoying
Full Definition of IMPOSSIBLE
1
a : incapable of being or of occurring b : felt to be incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled : insuperably difficult <an impossible deadline>
2
a : extremely undesirable : unacceptable b : extremely awkward or difficult to deal with <the actor was impossible on the set>
— im·pos·si·ble·ness noun
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Origin of IMPOSSIBLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin impossibilis, from in- + possibilis possible
Related to IMPOSSIBLE
- Synonyms
- hopeless, insoluble, insolvable, insuperable, unattainable, undoable, unrealizable, unsolvable
- Antonyms
- achievable, attainable, doable, feasible, possible, realizable, resolvable, soluble, workable
Rhymes with IMPOSSIBLE
IMPOSSIBLENESS Defined for Kids
impossible
adjective im·pos·si·ble \im-ˈpä-sə-bəl\
Definition of IMPOSSIBLE for Kids
1
: incapable of being or of occurring : not possible <The noise makes it impossible to concentrate.>
2
: very difficult <These math problems are impossible!>
3
: very bad or unpleasant <She is impossible to deal with.>
— im·pos·si·bly \-blē\ adverb
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