impossible
word
/ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəɫ/
im-PAH-suh-buhl
/ɪmpˈɒsəbəl/
im-PO-suh-buhl
Definition
If something is impossible, it cannot be done, cannot happen, or is extremely hard to believe.
Usage & Nuances
Common with 'it's impossible to...' and 'impossible for someone to...'. It can be literal ('It's impossible to fly without a plane') or emotional/exaggerated ('This homework is impossible'). Also used for people in a negative way: 'He's impossible' means very difficult to deal with.
Spanish: imposiblePortuguese (BR): impossívelPortuguese (PT): impossívelChinese (Simplified): 不可能的Chinese (Traditional): 不可能的Hindi: असंभवArabic: مستحيلBengali: অসম্ভবRussian: невозможноJapanese: 不可能Vietnamese: không thểKorean: 불가능한Turkish: imkansızUrdu: ناممکنIndonesian: mustahil
Example Sentences
It is impossible to open this door without a key.
basic
Getting everyone to agree on a restaurant is basically impossible.
natural
For me, waking up at 4 a.m. is impossible.
basic
This math question looks impossible.
basic
I tried to explain it to him, but he's impossible.
natural
With traffic like this, arriving on time is impossible.
natural