impossibility
gb/ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/ us/ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
fact of something being impossible
The situation that something cannot happen or cannot be done.
Usage pattern:
the impossibility of [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"the impossible of doing something"* instead of the correct phrase *"the impossibility of doing something"*. Also, some use *"impossibility"* when *"impossible"* (the adjective) is needed, e.g., *"This task is impossibility"* instead of *"This task is impossible."*
Synonyms
infeasibility (More formal and often used about plans or projects that cannot be done in practice.)
Antonyms
possibility (Refers to something that can happen or be done, the direct opposite of impossibility.)
Collocations
the impossibility of
|virtual impossibility
|near impossibility
|legal impossibility
|moral impossibility
|accept the impossibility
Themes
general
|thinking
|probability
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many people refused to accept the impossibility of a quick solution to climate change.
- The report stresses the impossibility of meeting the deadline with the current staff.
- He talked about the impossibility of going back to the way things were before the war.
- Scientists once believed in the impossibility of life in such extreme conditions.
- They recognized the practical impossibility of checking every single document by hand.
Learner examples
- The impossibility of the plan became clear to everyone.
- We must face the impossibility of finishing this work today.
- She was angry about the impossibility of visiting her family during the lockdown.
- The teacher explained the impossibility of answering the question with the information we had.
- He wrote about the impossibility of living without clean water.
unknown
B2
entity
2
a thing that is impossible
A particular job, goal, or event that cannot happen or cannot be done.
Usage pattern:
[something] is an impossibility for [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget the article and say *"is impossibility"* instead of *"is an impossibility"* when talking about one specific thing. Remember to use *"an"* before *"impossibility"* in this countable sense.
Synonyms
hopeless task (More informal and emotional, emphasizing that success is not expected.)
Antonyms
realistic option (Emphasizes that a task or plan can actually be done in real life.)
Collocations
is an impossibility
|almost an impossibility
|a near impossibility
|an utter impossibility
|an absolute impossibility
Themes
daily_life
|work
|goals
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- For many workers, buying a house in the city is an impossibility.
- Getting him to apologize is an impossibility; he never admits he is wrong.
- With our current budget, a trip abroad this year is simply an impossibility.
- Peace may seem an impossibility, but we must keep trying.
- Finishing the book by tomorrow is an impossibility for me.
Learner examples
- For some students, studying abroad is an impossibility.
- Right now, a new car is an impossibility for us.
- Running a marathon next week is an impossibility for her after the injury.
- Working full-time and caring for three small children alone is an impossibility.
- Staying awake all night and working the next day is an impossibility for me.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
logical or theoretical impossibility
In logic or math, something that can never be true in any situation because it contains a clear mistake or conflict.
Usage pattern:
a logical impossibility in [field]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this technical sense when they only need the everyday sense. In normal conversation, say things like *"It’s impossible"* or *"It can’t happen"* rather than talking about *"logical impossibility"* unless you are discussing logic or theory.
Synonyms
contradiction (More general and common word; in logic, a contradiction is a clear conflict between statements, often leading to an impossibility.)
Antonyms
possibility (In logic and modal talk, something that can be true in at least one possible situation.)
Collocations
logical impossibility
|mathematical impossibility
|physical impossibility
|proves the impossibility of
|demonstrate an impossibility
Themes
logic
|mathematics
|philosophy
|science
|education
Examples
- The author argues that a square circle is a logical impossibility.
- Einstein’s theory ruled out faster-than-light travel as a physical impossibility.
- The proof shows the impossibility of constructing such a triangle with the given conditions.
- In this system, an effect without a cause is treated as an impossibility.
- The paradox exposes an impossibility within the theory itself.
Learner examples
- In logic class, we talked about the impossibility of a square circle.
- The teacher gave an example of an impossibility in mathematics.
- Some scientists speak about the physical impossibility of time travel.
- He tried to show the impossibility of that idea with a simple example.
- The diagram helps students see the impossibility of the claim.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impossibility
IPA
GB/ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
US/ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
Syllables & stress
im - possib - il - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: impossibility
- Plural: impossibilities, impossibility
Word family
Forms
impossibilities
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
impossible
adjective A2
impossibly
adverb
Expressions
a near impossibility
1/ə nˈɪɹ ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
something almost impossible to do
Something that is so difficult that it is almost impossible to do.
Examples
- Finding an affordable apartment in the city is a near impossibility.
- For busy parents, finding time to relax can feel like a near impossibility.
- In this weather, getting there on time will be a near impossibility.
logical impossibility
1/lˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
impossible under logical rules
Something that can never be true in any situation, because it clearly breaks the rules of logic.
Examples
- A square circle is a classic example of a logical impossibility.
- Many philosophers claim that a beginningless chain of causes is a logical impossibility.
- The argument fails because it leads to a logical impossibility.
practical impossibility
1/pɹˈæktɪkəl ɪmpˌɔsɪbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
impossible in real-world practice
Something that might be possible in theory, but cannot really be done in normal life or real conditions.
Examples
- Checking every single file by hand would be a practical impossibility.
- Because of the cost, replacing all the machines at once is a practical impossibility.
- In many countries, total internet control is now a practical impossibility.