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outside

outside

12 3.7
Very unlikely to happen
  • adjective
  • /ˈaʊtsaɪd/
translation icon : remoto
  • There's an outside chance that we might need to destroy them.
  • an outside chance
  • an outside shot
  • an outside possibility

Examples

  • The Rays still have an outside chance in the wild card chase.

    Blog text (30)
  • Look, there's an outside shot that I might be a little late.

  • As I said, it's a very outside chance--

  • Of course, there is one outside chance for a cure.

  • The outside possibility of a murder charge.

  • Yes, because it's so outside the realm of normal behavior.

  • Now of course, there's an outside chance that he can be helped.

  • It gives us an outside chance.

  • There's even an outside chance they'll wrest back control of the House.

    Blog text (4)
  • There is an outside chance that we might finish the project ahead of schedule.

Synonyms

unlikely
vsoutside
487 1.9

People do not expect it to happen or be true

is a stronger phrase stressing a very small chance rather than a low one
remote
vsoutside
162 5.0

Very unlikely to happen

expresses an even smaller, more extreme probability
improbable
vsoutside
53 4.9

Not likely to happen or be true

is a stronger claim about extreme rarity rather than general low chance
slim chance
vsoutside
10 3.4

A very small possibility that something will happen

indicates an even smaller, more extreme possibility
mathematical
vsoutside
7 6.1

Possible by calculation but extremely unlikely to happen

expresses the same rarity but as a plain possibility statement
fat chance
vsoutside
  • Informal
2 8.1

A way to say something is very unlikely to happen

is a neutral claim rather than a sarcastic or informal remark

Antonyms

1.0

People expect it to happen or be true

Idioms

outside the box
  • Informal
37 4.5

In a creative way that does not follow normal rules

To think or act in a new and creative way without following usual rules

Compounds

People, news, and events beyond your home or local area

outside chance
  • Informal
6 3.5

A very small possibility that something will happen

3 1.0

A door that leads from a building to the outside

1 2.1

A piece of glass on the outside of a vehicle that shows the view to the side and behind

9.1

A fishing knot where the line end goes outside the loop before pulling tight

Work you do besides your main paid work to earn extra money

outside loop
  • Specialized
9.9

A plane move where it dives, flies upside down, and then climbs back to level flight

outside caliper
  • Specialized
7.7

A tool with curved legs that fit around an object to measure its outer size

How Likely

certain
946 1.0
likely
1.0
possible
1.0
outside
12 3.7
improbable
53 4.9
impossible
1.4

Surface Forms

outside positive

Morphology

outside = side (semi-transparent) = out + side

The sense 'very unlikely / beyond possibility' is a metaphorical extension from physical 'outside' (beyond the limit), so the relation is inferable but somewhat figurative. [Postprocessing: moved 'out' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

In phrases like 'an outside chance', outside keeps its pieces out- 'out' and side 'part' to show something comes from the 'out part' or far away from the usual, so an outside chance is one that is unlikely.