impossible

im-pos-si-ble · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Not able to occur, exist, or be done.

  2. 2.

    Very difficult to deal with.

  3. 3.

    (of a person) Very unreasonable or difficult.

  4. 4.

    Something that cannot be done or achieved.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    mission impossible — a task that seems impossible to accomplish
  • •
    impossible dream — an unrealistic aspiration
  • •
    nothing is impossible — encouraging phrase suggesting all things are achievable
  • •
    the impossible — things that cannot be done

Related words

Antonyms: achievable, feasible, possible
See also: difficult, improbable, possible, unlikely
Synonyms: hopeless, inconceivable, unachievable, unattainable

Etymology

From Old French "impossible," from Latin "impossibilis," from "in-" (not) + "possibilis" (possible), from "posse" (to be able). The word has been in English since the 13th century.