probable
200
3.4
- adjective
- /ˈprɒb.ə.bəl/
:
probable
- That seems probable at this point so we're not sure.
- highly probable
- probable cause
- seem probable
And it's possible, maybe even probable, that MXR is wrong.
- And it's possible, maybe even probable, that MXR is wrong.
- So I think that's not a probable situation.
- That's probable, but I'm still going to be doing it.
- The best it can be is just probable, right?
- That seems probable at this point so we're not sure.
- It just said that shift work was a probable human carcinogen.
- And so it is a ridiculous notion if we care about how probable and certain our ideas might be.
- And as crazy as that sounds, that's probable.
- I'm trying to see what could be most probable.
- So that's a highly probable decision.
- In fact, it's most probable you'll get most things wrong the first time you do them.
- And the question is whether or not it's probable.
- There's all of those things are possible and at some point are probable.
- Now most probable it's the path that you actually see.
Examples
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And it's possible, maybe even probable, that MXR is wrong.
-
It just said that shift work was a probable human carcinogen.
-
Is a full house more probable than a street or not?
-
Hey, look at where the most probable value of R is here.
-
The best it can be is just probable, right?
-
At the time, it seemed probable that the squadron commander had been hit by ground fire.
Fiction book (2000) -
You know, it's very probable they're taking five classes.
-
Hunter emphasized the need for students to develop skills in identifying problems, possible solutions, and probable consequences.
Academic text (2011) -
No doubt Yossi was being dense, but the probable reason for this call did not cross his mind.
Fiction book (1993) -
The storm is probable to arrive by evening, so we should prepare in advance.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
People expect it to happen or be true
31
7.3
Likely to be true because of evidence, not certain
17
6.1
Likely to happen
Antonyms
Compounds
How Likely
Surface Forms
Morphology
probable = prob + able
The adjectival suffix '-able' transparently forms an adjective, but the root 'prob' is not a standalone modern English word, so learners may not fully recognize the base.
Etymology
The word probable comes from the Latin verb probare, which means 'to test' or 'to prove' and is the same root as prove and proof. So something probable is something that seems likely or can be supported by evidence, even if it is not certain.