possibility
Something that might happen or could be true.
Possibility means something that could happen or be true, even if it hasn't happened yet and might never happen. When you consider possibilities, you're thinking about different ways things might turn out.
If dark clouds gather in the morning, there's a possibility of rain later, meaning rain could happen but isn't certain. When your teacher announces a possible field trip, she means it might occur if everything works out. Scientists explore possibilities when they ask “what if?” questions: What's the possibility of life on other planets? Could this medicine possibly cure the disease?
The word connects closely to potential and opportunity. A blank canvas holds endless possibilities for an artist. A new school year brings the possibility of new friendships. When someone says “anything is possible,” they mean that with enough effort, creativity, or luck, outcomes that seem unlikely could still happen.
Possibility sits between impossibility (things that absolutely cannot happen) and certainty (things that definitely will happen). You can't turn invisible, that's impossible. The sun will rise tomorrow, that's certain. But whether you'll become a doctor, an engineer, or an artist? Those are all possibilities, depending on the choices you make and the opportunities you pursue.
Understanding possibility helps you plan ahead, imagine different futures, and stay open to outcomes you haven't considered yet.