A2 1K

Impossible

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɪmˈpɒsəbl/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/"]/

Meaning of Impossible

that cannot exist or be done; not possible

In simple words: Not able to happen or be done.

Impossible in a sentence

• Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training.
• It felt impossible to finish the puzzle in one day.
• For some, the idea of flying is just impossible to accept.
• He made it look impossible to solve the math problem, but I figured it out.
• That task seemed impossible until I got some help.

How to use Impossible

Use 'impossible' to describe something that cannot be achieved. It’s suitable for both spoken and written English but may be too strong in polite contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Sounds like 'I'm possible' — think of a superhero proving that things thought impossible can happen.

Related words

Collocations with Impossible

• appear
• be
• look
• absolutely
• completely
• downright
• for
• be
• become
• find somebody
• really
• absolutely
• completely

Synonyms for Impossible

• unachievable
• impractical
• insurmountable
• inconceivable
• hopeless

Opposites of Impossible

• possible
• feasible
• achievable

Common mistakes with Impossible

• 'Impossible' is sometimes confused with 'unbelievable' but they are not the same.
• Learners might use 'impossible' to describe very challenging tasks instead of things that cannot be done at all.
• 'Impossible' is often incorrectly combined with less strong modifiers, like 'very impossible'.

Frequently asked questions about Impossible

What does Impossible mean?

Not able to happen or be done.

What is the definition of Impossible?

that cannot exist or be done; not possible

How do you use Impossible in a sentence?

Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training.

Can you give another example of Impossible?

It felt impossible to finish the puzzle in one day.

What are synonyms for Impossible?

Common alternatives include unachievable, impractical, insurmountable, inconceivable, hopeless.

What is the opposite of Impossible?

Opposite meanings include possible, feasible, achievable.

What words go with Impossible?

It commonly pairs with appear, be, look, absolutely, completely, downright, for, be, become, find somebody, really, absolutely, completely.

What are common mistakes when using Impossible?

'Impossible' is sometimes confused with 'unbelievable' but they are not the same. Learners might use 'impossible' to describe very challenging tasks instead of things that cannot be done at all. 'Impossible' is often incorrectly combined with less strong modifiers, like 'very impossible'.

How do you pronounce Impossible?

US: /["/ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/"]/, UK: /["/ɪmˈpɒsəbl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Impossible?

Use 'impossible' to describe something that cannot be achieved. It’s suitable for both spoken and written English but may be too strong in polite contexts.

What CEFR level is Impossible?

"Impossible" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.