impossible
gb/ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/ us/ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Not able to be done
Something that cannot happen or be done.
Usage pattern:
it is impossible to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'impossible' with 'difficult'. 'Impossible' means there is no way to do it, while 'difficult' means it can be done but requires effort.
Synonyms
unachievable (Focuses on something that cannot be reached or accomplished.)
|
unattainable (Suggests something cannot be reached, often in a long-term or aspirational sense.)
Antonyms
possible (Direct opposite; something can be done or achieved.)
|
achievable (Emphasizes that a goal can be reached.)
Collocations
virtually impossible
|seem impossible
|nearly impossible
|make it impossible
Themes
daily life
|problem solving
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s impossible to finish this report by tonight.
- Climbing that cliff without equipment is impossible.
- Finding a taxi at this hour is almost impossible.
- It was impossible for her to hide her excitement.
Learner examples
- It is impossible to lift this box alone.
- The test is impossible for me.
- It is impossible to see the stars because of the clouds.
- This puzzle is impossible to finish.
adjective
B1
property
2
Very difficult or unpleasant
Very hard or unpleasant to be around or handle.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is impossible to [deal with/work with]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this still means 'cannot be done', but here it means 'very unpleasant or hard to deal with'. Context usually makes the difference clear.
Synonyms
unbearable (Emphasizes extreme discomfort or annoyance.)
|
insufferable (More formal and literary; suggests extreme difficulty in tolerating.)
Antonyms
agreeable (Describes someone pleasant and easy to get along with.)
|
manageable (Describes something that can be handled without excessive difficulty.)
Collocations
impossible person
|impossible behavior
|impossible demands
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- My boss can be impossible when he’s stressed.
- The kids were impossible after eating too much sugar.
- She’s an impossible neighbor who complains about everything.
Learner examples
- My little brother is impossible sometimes.
- The weather here is impossible in winter.
- He is impossible when he is angry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impossible
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/
US/ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/
Syllables & stress
im - possible (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (possible)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impossible
Word family
Expressions
make the impossible possible
1/mˈeɪk ðə ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl pˈɑsəbəl/
fixed phrase
Achieve what seemed impossible
To do something people thought could not be done.
Examples
- The scientist made the impossible possible with her new invention.
- With teamwork, they made the impossible possible.
mission impossible
1/mˈɪʃən ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/
fixed phrase
informal
A task with almost no chance of success
A job or goal that is almost certain to fail.
Examples
- Getting him to change his mind is mission impossible.
- Cleaning this house in one hour is mission impossible.
nothing is impossible
1/nˈʌθɪŋ ˈɪz ɪmpˈɑsɪbəl/
fixed phrase
Everything can be done
You can do anything if you try hard enough.
Examples
- He believes that nothing is impossible if you work hard.
- They proved that nothing is impossible by climbing the mountain.