conceivable

Something "conceivable" is something you can imagine happening or existing—it's within the realm of possibility. If your friend suggests flying to Mars for a vacation, it's wildly impractical, but it is technically conceivable with enough technology and money. However, if they suggest breathing underwater like a fish without any equipment, that's not conceivable for a human!

The word hints at the ability to "conceive" an idea in your mind—to form a mental picture of it. It doesn't necessarily mean an event is likely or probable, just that it could happen. A detective might explore every conceivable motive when solving a crime, even the far-fetched ones. You will often see it used with "hardly" or "barely," as in: "It was hardly conceivable that she would win."

"Conceivable" describes something that is capable of being imagined or understood; it is possible, though not necessarily probable. The term comes from the Latin word concipere, meaning "to take in" or "to take into the womb," which evolved over time to mean "to conceive" an idea—to form it in your mind.

While something conceivable isn't guaranteed to happen, it doesn't seem to violate known laws of nature or logic. For example, a self-driving car is now conceivable thanks to advancements in technology, even if it wasn't considered so decades ago. However, time travel to the past remains largely inconceivable based on our current understanding of physics.

You'll often encounter "conceivable" when discussing possibilities, plans, or explanations. A lawyer might argue that a certain defense is "not conceivable" given the evidence. A scientist might explore all conceivable scenarios before drawing conclusions from an experiment. It is also frequently used in its negative form—"inconceivable"—to emphasize that something is completely impossible or beyond belief. ("It's inconceivable that he would betray his friends.")

The nuance of "conceivable" lies between being "possible" and "probable." Something can be conceivable but highly unlikely. When you hear the word, think about whether an idea sits within the bounds of imagination and logical possibility—even if it seems a bit far-fetched!