possibility

noun

1. 可能；可能性
   the fact that sth might exist or happen, but is not certain to
   1. There is now no possibility that she will make a full recovery.
      她现在已不可能完全康复。
   2. He refused to rule out the possibility of a tax increase.
      他拒绝排除增税的可能性。
   3. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we'll all meet again one day.
      我们大家将来有一天再度聚在一起，并非绝不可能。
   4. Bankruptcy is a real possibility if sales don't improve.
      如果销售情况得不到改善，真有破产的可能。
   5. What had seemed impossible now seemed a distinct possibility .
      过去看似不可能的事，现在显然有可能了。
2. 可选择的方法
   one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation
   1. to explore/consider/investigate a wide range of possibilities
      探究 / 考虑 / 调查各种可能的情况
   2. to exhaust all the possibilities
      用尽一切可能的手段
   3. Selling the house is just one possibility that is open to us.
      卖掉房子只是我们可以选择的其中一种做法。
   4. The possibilities are endless .
      可想的办法是无穷的。
3. 机会；契机
   something that gives you a chance to achieve sth
   1. The course offers a range of exciting possibilities for developing your skills.
      这门课程可提供一整套新鲜活泼的技能训练。
4. 潜力；改进的余地
   if sth has possibilities , it can be improved or made successful
   1. The house is in a bad state of repair but it has possibilities.
      这房子虽亟待修缮，但仍有可资利用的价值。

1. N-COUNT 可能性；可能
   If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen, you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
   1. We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot the teeth...
      我们以前完全不担心吃糖果有可能会蛀牙。
   2. Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
      极有可能征收食物税。
2. N-COUNT （一种）可能；可能的事
   A possibility is one of several different things that could be done.
   1. The government now owns a lot of our land — one possibility would be to compensate us with other property...
      政府现在占了我们的大量土地，一种可能是用其他地产来对我们作出补偿。
   2. There were several possibilities open to each manufacturer.
      每个制造商都可以有几种不同的选择。
3. PHRASE 可能的事；能做到的事
   You can say 'It is not beyond the realms of possibility' or 'It is not beyond the bounds of possibility' when you are stating something that you believe is possibly true, but which other people might consider unlikely or impossible.
   1. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that the security services do bug important public figures.
      安全部门完全有可能窃听重要公众人物的谈话。

Note that you do not use possibility in sentences like 'I had the possibility to do it'. The words you need are opportunity or chance. Opportunity is more formal. Later Donald had the opportunity of driving the car… The people of Northern Ireland would have the chance to shape their own future.
注意不要说：I had the possibility to do it，而要用opportunity或chance。opportunity一词比较正式，例如：Later Donald had the opportunity of driving the car（后来，唐纳德有机会开这辆车了），The people of Northern Ireland would have the chance to shape their own future（北爱尔兰人民会有机会决定自己的未来的）。

1. I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.
   我不愿接受她有可能离开的事实。
2. That's a very definite possibility.
   那是很有可能的。
3. He envisages the possibility of establishing direct diplomatic relations in the future
   他设想在未来可以建立直接的外交关系。
4. I'm very excited about the possibility of playing for England's first team
   想到可能为英格兰首屈一指的球队效力，我非常兴奋。
5. I cannot entirely exclude the possibility that some form of pressure was applied to the neck.
   我不能完全排除颈部受到某种压迫的可能性。
6. Another possibility is that parents favour chicks that are strong.
   另一种可能性是亲鸟会偏爱强壮的雏鸟。
7. She suggested a trip to the shops and hinted at the possibility of a treat of some sort
   她建议去逛逛商店，并暗示可能要请客。
8. That, as we all know, is not only a possibility but a likelihood.
   众所周知，那不仅可能发生，而且是很可能发生。
9. The possibility of failure did cross my mind.
   我的确想过有失败的可能。
10. We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot the teeth
    我们以前完全不担心吃糖果有可能会蛀牙。
11. Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
    极有可能征收食物税。
12. The government now owns a lot of our land — one possibility would be to compensate us with other property
    政府现在占了我们的大量土地，一种可能是用其他地产来对我们作出补偿。
13. There were several possibilities open to each manufacturer.
    每个制造商都可以有几种不同的选择。
14. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that the security services do bug important public figures.
    安全部门完全有可能窃听重要公众人物的谈话。
15. We recognized the possibility and took steps to prevent it happening.
    我们认识到了这种可能性，并且采取了一些预防措施。
16. Formal talks are still said to be a possibility, not a probability
    据称正式会谈仍有可能，但可能性不大。
17. This is a target which is surely within the realm of possibility.
    这是一个完全有可能实现的目标。
18. I believe that he would be the best possibility to recapture the centre vote in the forthcoming election.
    我相信在即将来临的选举中，他最有可能重新争取到中间派的选票。
19. I use a sunscreen whenever there is even a remote possibility that I will be in the sun
    不论何时只要有一点可能暴露在阳光下，我就会用防晒霜。
20. We'll see. It's a possibility.
    再说吧，可能会的。
21. The possibility of another stalking horse challenge this autumn cannot be ruled out.
    今年秋季可能会再次推出一名掩护性候选人出来挑战，不排除这种可能性。
22. There is a strong possibility that the cat contracted the condition by eating contaminated pet food.
    猫很有可能是吃了受污染的宠物食品而染上这种疾病的。
23. There is the possibility that hypothermia can go unrecognized
    人们有可能察觉不到体温的过低。
24. There is the strong possibility that such cooperation will prove unworkable
    这种合作很有可能会行不通。
25. He is weighing the possibility of filing criminal charges against the doctor
    他正在仔细考虑对那个医生提起刑事诉讼的可能性。
26. The possibility of suicide was ruled out.
    自杀的可能性已被排除。
27. Once you have eliminated the obvious causes of death, you must consider the possibility of foul play.
    一旦排除了明显的死因，你就必须考虑到可能有人采取了卑劣手段。
28. This Utopian dream is far beyond the range of possibility.
    这种乌托邦式的梦想根本不可能实现。
29. The possibility of a last-ditch resistance by the enemy should not be dismissed.
    敌人负隅顽抗的可能性是不可不加考虑的。

noun

1. a possible alternative
   1. bankruptcy is always a possibility

   Synonym:    possible actionopening

2. a tentative insight into the natural world
   1. a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
   2. he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices

   Synonym:    hypothesistheory

3. a future prospect or potential
   1. this room has great possibilities

4. capability of existing or happening or being true
   1. there is a possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired

   Synonym:    possibleness