pos‧si‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W2 / pɒsəbɪləti, pɒsɪbɪləti $ pɑ- / 名词 ( 复数形式 possibilities )
1 [可数和不可数名词] if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen :
There’s always a possibility that he might go back to Seattle.
the possibility of an enemy attack
There was no possibility of changing the voting procedure.
A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility .
Tomorrow, there’s a remote possibility of snow on high ground.
They might get married – it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility .
The study raises the possibility that dieting is bad for your health.
2 [可数名词，通常复数] an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried
possibilities for/of (doing) something
exciting possibilities for reducing costs
Archer began to explore the possibilities of opening a club in the city.
The US has not yet exhausted all diplomatic possibilities (= tried everything possible ) .
the range of possibilities offered to students
3 have possibilities if something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better 同义词 have potential :
The house has great possibilities.
COLLOCATIONS
形容词
a strong/good possibility (= something that is very likely ) There is a strong possibility that the drug causes similar damage in humans.
a real possibility (= something that is quite likely ) At this moment, a recession is a real possibility.
a distinct possibility (= something that is quite likely ) I knew there was a distinct possibility that I might fail my degree.
a remote/faint possibility (= something that is not very likely ) There’s no point worrying about such a remote possibility.
动词
a possibility exists The possibility exists that he misunderstood the data.
something remains a possibility War remains a possibility.
consider a possibility Police In Glasgow are considering the possibility that the death may be drugs-related.
raise a possibility (= say or show that something may happen or may be true ) The government has raised the possibility of an early election next year.
rule out/exclude a possibility (= say that something will definitely not happen or is definitely not true ) We can’t rule out the possibility that there will be more redundancies.
短语
there is a possibility that There is a possibility that files could be lost if the system crashes.
COLLOCATIONS
动词
consider a possibility (= think about whether you should take an opportunity ) We even began to consider the possibility of moving there permanently.
explore a possibility (= think carefully and find out about an opportunity ) You may want to explore the possibility of setting up your own business.
offer a possibility (= make an opportunity available ) Technology offers exciting possibilities to designers.
open up a possibility (= make a new opportunity available ) His recent performance opens up the possibility for him to compete in the Olympic Games.
exhaust the possibilities (= try everything possible ) I was determined not to give up until I had exhausted all the possibilities.
形容词
new possibilities New possibilities lay before him.
exciting possibilities The city offers many exciting possibilities for young people.
tremendous possibilities (= very good or important opportunities ) This discovery opens up tremendous possibilities for cancer screening.