possibly

Possibly is an English adverb indicating that something may be true or could occur, expressing a modest level of uncertainty. It signals hedging rather than assertion and is generally weaker than words like probably or certainly. It is commonly used to convey that a proposition has a chance of being the case without proving it.

Grammatical use follows the flow of the sentence. It typically appears before the main verb or the clause it modifies: “Possibly he forgot the meeting.” It can also follow an auxiliary verb: “He will possibly arrive later.” In negative constructions, one can say “He possibly did not understand,” or “It is possibly not the best idea.” In questions, forms like “Is it possibly feasible?” are possible, though less common in casual speech. In formal writing, it may be followed by “that”: “It is possibly that the policy will change.” The choice among possibly, perhaps, and maybe carries subtle differences in emphasis and formality.

Etymology and related terms: possibly is formed from the adjective possible with the adverbial suffix -ly. The adjective derives from Latin possibilis, from posse “to be able.” The adverb likely emerged in English in the late Middle English to Early Modern English period as part of standard hedging language.

Usage notes: In everyday language, possibly often appears in tentative statements or when presenting alternatives. In scientific or careful reporting, it helps convey uncertainty without asserting causality or certainty. Related terms include perhaps and maybe; other gradations include possibly but probably, which denotes higher likelihood, and potentially or feasibly, which subtly shift nuance.