possível

Possível is an adjective in Portuguese used to describe something that can occur, exist, or be done. It expresses possibility or feasibility, rather than certainty or probability. The form is the same for masculine and feminine nouns, with plural possíves? Actually, the correct plural is possíveis. Examples: uma solução possível, fatos possíveis. In sentences, é possível is a common construction meaning “it is possible.”

Usage and nuance: possivel indicates potential rather than guaranteed outcomes. It contrasts with provável (likely) and com certeza (for sure). The phrase É possível que + subjunctive expresses a present or future possibility: É possível que chova hoje. It can also appear as Pode ser que + subjunctive or simply "Pode ser" in less formal contexts. The word often collocates with a noun phrase such as a possibilidade: a possibilidade de ocorrer, a possibilidade de mudança. Excluded are absolute judgments; enquanto impossível denotes that something cannot happen.

Etymology and related terms: possivel derives from Latin possibilis, from possum “to be able” plus the suffix -bilis forming adjectives meaning “able to be.” Related terms include possibilidade (possibility), possível (plural possíveis), and antonyms such as impossível (impossible). Synonyms that convey feasibility or practicality include viável, factível, and realizável. Distinctions exist among them: viável stresses practicality, factível emphasizes feasibility, and realizável focuses on what can be achieved.

Overall, possível is a common, versatile adjective in Portuguese used to discuss things that may occur or be true, with its noun counterpart possibilidade used to refer to the notion of possibility itself. It is widely cognate with the English possible, the Spanish posible, and the French possible.