Probable
['prɒbəb(ə)l] or ['prɑbəbl]
Definition
(noun.) an applicant likely to be chosen.
(adj.) apparently destined; 'the probable consequences of going ahead with the scheme' .
(adj.) likely but not certain to be or become true or real; 'a likely result'; 'he foresaw a probable loss' .
Edited by Bridget--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Capable of being proved.
(a.) Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.
(a.) Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption.
Edited by Fred
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Likely, presumable, credible, reasonable, to be expected, that stands to reason.
Checked by Alfreda
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Likely, presumable, credible, reasonable
ANT:Unlikely, unreasonable, incredible
Checked by Edwin
Definition
adj. that can be proved: having more evidence for than against: giving ground for belief: likely: (Shak.) plausible.—n. probable opinion.—ns. Probabil′iorist; Prob′abilism (R.C. theol.) the doctrine in casuistry that of two probable opinions both reasonable one may follow his own inclination as a doubtful law cannot impose a certain obligation—opp. to Probabil′iorism according to which it is lawful to follow one's inclination only when there is a more probable opinion in its favour; Prob′abilist; Probabil′ity quality of being probable: appearance of truth: that which is probable: chance or likelihood of something happening:—pl. Probabil′ities.—adv. Prob′ably.—adj. Prō′bal (Shak.) probable.—Probable cause a reasonable ground that an accusation is true; Probable error a quantity assumed as the value of an error such that the chances of the real error being greater are equal to those of it being less than this quantity; Probable evidence evidence not conclusive but admitting of some degree of force.
Edited by Gillian
Examples
- However probable it was to him, she had heard of no such thing. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- I think it is very probable. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- All these things must be guarded against or a great loss to the owner is probable. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- And it seemed probable that all learned men had a sort of schoolmaster's view of young people. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- With Plato the investigation of nature is another department of knowledge, and in this he seeks to attain only probable conclusions (Timaeus). Plato. The Republic.
- Quite probable. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It is probable that he will be away all day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- That being the terminus of his railroad communications, it is probable he was directed to remain there awaiting orders. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- He was a shrewd man, and therefore, when he withdrew from that trade in 1767, it is probable that he foresaw that he was on the track of something better. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- It is probable that the warm spells have been long relatively to the cold ages. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It seems probable that in the Athenian population among all the Greek cities the pre-Aryan strain was unusually strong. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Rick, the world is before you; and it is most probable that as you enter it, so it will receive you. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I had thought of that too, and it was very far from comforting to me to find that he had thought of it; for it seemed to render it more probable. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- To think upon the news as it comes to us is to attempt to see what is indicated as probable or possible regarding an outcome. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
Editor: Rhoda