American English

How to pronounce impossibility

nounB2
ihmpawsihBIHlihddee

/ɪmˌpɔ.sɪˈbɪ.lɪ.ɾi/

6 syllables · Stress the fourth syllable.

The fact or condition that something cannot happen or be done.

What to listen for

Common pronunciation/ɪmˌpɔ.sɪˈbɪ.lɪ.ɾi/
Also heard/ɪmˌpɑ.səˈbɪ.lɪ.ɾi/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

noun

The fact or condition that something cannot happen or be done.

They accepted the impossibility of changing the decision.

The impossibility of finding a taxi made us walk.

Common phrases & grammar

the impossibility of doing something · recognize the impossibility · accept the impossibility · practical impossibility

the impossibility of + noun/gerund

accept/recognize the impossibility of + noun/gerund

nounless common

Something that cannot happen or be done.

Without more money, finishing the project is an impossibility.

For many people, owning a home once seemed like an impossibility.

Common phrases & grammar

an absolute impossibility · a practical impossibility

an impossibility

seem like an impossibility

Related words & forms

The plural changes -y to -ies: impossibilities.