Learn English – “Plausible” vs. “possible”

adjectivesconnotationdifferences

I am looking to find the difference between possible and plausible.

Here is what Apple's dictionary gives for each word:

Possible: Able to be done; within the power or capacity of someone or something

Plausible: (of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable

I mean, other than these definitions, are there any connotative differences?

Best Answer

You can define something possible in mathematical terms as having a non null probability of being true.

As for plausible, the concept does not draw on mathematics but rather on mere common sense. The etymology is the same as applause. Something is plausible it it's acceptable (loosely: if it deserves applause). That is to say if its probability is reasonable.

If you add probable and likely in the equation, you can order theses adjectives by ascending probability as follows:

possible => plausible => probable = likely.