American English
/ˈpʰɑ.səb.li/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Used to say that something may be true or may happen, but you are not certain.
Practice out loudUsed to say that something may be true or may happen, but you are not certain.
Possibly the train is late.
We could possibly finish by Friday.
possibly the best · possibly by Friday · could possibly happen
possibly + subject + verb
subject + could/may/might + possibly + verb
Used in a question to make a request more polite and less direct.
Could you possibly call me after lunch?
Would you possibly be able to send the file today?
In a request, possibly makes the question softer. It does not mean that the answer is probably yes.
could you possibly...? · would you possibly...?
could + subject + possibly + verb
would + subject + possibly + be able to + verb
Used with could or would to show strong surprise or doubt that something can happen or be true.
How could you possibly know the answer?
Why would she possibly agree to that?
In How could you possibly...?, possibly adds strong surprise. It does not simply mean maybe.
how could you possibly...?
how + could + subject + possibly + verb
why + would + subject + possibly + verb
a polite way to ask someone to do something
Could you possibly wait outside?
used to show strong surprise or doubt
How could you possibly forget her name?