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outside

outside

12 3.7
Very unlikely to happen
  • adjective
  • /ˈaʊtsaɪd/
: 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.