probable
Definitions
Likely to be true or to happen
很可能的；大概的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedprob (prove) + -able (able to be) = 'able to be proved.' What can be proved is what survives testing — and over centuries that sense softened from 'provable' into 'likely.' So probable describes a conclusion the evidence leans toward, even if not yet certain.
Root prob still carries 14 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.highly probable极有可能
- 2.probable cause可能的原因；合理依据
- 3.most probable最有可能的
- 4.probable outcome可能的结果
- 5.it is probable that很可能…
Example Sentences
- 1.
It is probable that prices will rise again next year.
- 2.
The most probable cause of the fire was faulty wiring.
- 3.
Police need probable cause before they can search a house.
Synonym Comparison
- probable — supported by evidence; more than likely, leaning toward certain
- likely — the everyday word for the same idea; less formal than probable
- possible — merely could happen; much weaker than probable
- plausible — sounds believable, but says nothing about whether it's true
- feasible — about whether something can be done, not whether it's true