probable
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈpɹɒbəbl̩//
- United States//ˈpɹɑbəbl̩//
Likely or most likely to be true.
adjective
- 1
Likely or most likely to be true.
It's probable that it will rain tomorrow.
The probable source of the failure was the mass of feathers in the intake manifold.
A major accident and embezzlement of its funds seem to have been the only disasters it escaped; and as to the latter, the most probable reason is that it never had any quantity of funds worth embezzling.
- 2
Likely to happen.
With all the support we have, success is looking probable.
- 3
Supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating.
probable evidence
From an examination of the Teutonic words for "temple" Grimm has made it probable that amongst the Germans the oldest sanctuaries were natural woods.
- 4
obsoleteCapable of being proved.
Etymology
From Middle English probable, from Old French probable, from Latin probābilis (“that may be proved, credible”), from probāre (“to test, examine”); see probe, probity, prove. Compare recent doublet provable.
noun
- 1
Something that is likely.
Four of the 32 251 Ku aircraft turned back, but the other 28 fought for 20 minutes against a reported 100 enemy aircraft, claiming 18 destroyed and five probables.
- 2
A person who is likely to appear or do a certain thing.
Forms
- plural
- probables
- comparative
- more probable
- superlative
- most probable
probable · Likely or most likely to be true.
probably · In all likelihood.probation · A period of time when a person occupies a position only…probe · Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds,…