"可能存在、發生或被完成的"，14世紀中葉，源自古法語 possible，直接源自拉丁語 possibilis，意爲"可以完成"，源自 posse "有能力"（參見 potent）。
The only kind of object which in strict propriety of language can be called possible is the truth of a proposition ; and when a kind of thing is said to be possible, this is to be regarded as an elliptical expression, meaning that it is of such a general description that we do not know it does not exist. So an event or act is said to be possible, meaning that one would not know that it would not come to pass. But it is incorrect to use possible meaning practicable ; possible is what may be, not what can be. [Century Dictionary]
在嚴格的語言準確性中，唯一可以稱爲 possible 的對象是一個命題的真實性； 當一種 thing 被稱爲 possible 時，這應被視爲一種省略表達，意思是它是這樣一種一般性描述，我們不知道它不存在。因此，一個事件或行爲被稱爲 possible，意思是我們不知道它不會發生。但是，使用 possible 來表示 practicable 是不正確的； possible 是可能發生的，而不是可以發生的。[世紀詞典]
