feasible

/ˈfizəbəl/
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Possible in real conditions or reasonable enough to believe.

Examples

  • The detective considered three feasible explanations.
  • Could there be a more feasible reason for the missing data?
  • The cheaper route looked feasible after a safety review.
  • Working from home is not feasible for every job.
  • His story was barely feasible, but no one could disprove it.

Similar words

believable
viable
possible
doable
attainable
practicable
credible
reasonable
achievable
plausible

Meanings

Possible in practice

adjective
planning
neutral
Possible to do, use, or achieve with the time, money, skills, and conditions available, and likely enough to work.

Examples

  • The engineers found a feasible way to reduce energy use.
  • Is it feasible to finish the repairs before winter?
  • Working from home is not feasible for every job.
  • The cheaper route looked feasible after a safety review.
  • We abandoned the idea because it was no longer financially feasible.

Similar words

Reasonable or believable

adjective
reasoning
neutral
Reasonable enough to be accepted as a possible explanation or account of what happened.

Examples

  • Her account of the delay sounded feasible at first.
  • The detective considered three feasible explanations.
  • Could there be a more feasible reason for the missing data?
  • His story was barely feasible, but no one could disprove it.
  • They rejected the rumor because it offered no feasible account of the facts.

Similar words

Etymology

From late Middle English faisible, borrowed from Anglo-French and based on faire, meaning ‘to do’ or ‘to make’. The spelling later changed to feasible.

FAQ

What does feasible mean?

Feasible usually means possible and practical enough to work in the real conditions.

Is feasible the same as possible?

Not exactly. Possible means something can happen, while feasible usually means it can realistically be done with the resources available.

Can an explanation be feasible?

Yes. In a less common sense, a feasible explanation is reasonable or believable.

What is the opposite of feasible?

Common opposites are infeasible, impracticable, impossible, and unworkable, depending on the context.

Where does feasible come from?

Feasible came through Anglo-French from a form related to faire, meaning ‘to do’ or ‘to make’.

What commonly comes before feasible?

Common combinations include financially feasible, technically feasible, and commercially feasible.

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