What does impossible mean?
Word: Impossible
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Impossible means not able to happen or be done.
Synonyms: unthinkable
Antonyms: possible
How do you spell impossible?
Syllables: im - pos - si - ble
Tricky part: The middle has a double s, which children often write as just one, giving imposible.
Watch out for: imposible, impossibel, impossibal
Memory tip: The boss says it is impossible: boss and imPOSSible both have a double s.
Impossible in a sentence
Example 1: It is impossible to see the stars on a cloudy night.
Example 2: The puzzle looked impossible, but Ananya solved it in ten minutes.
Example 3: Nothing is impossible if you keep practising.
Fun Fact
In 1837 a French mathematician, Pierre Wantzel, proved that it is impossible to cut every angle into three equal parts using only a compass and an unmarked ruler.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
____possible
a) dis
b) un
c) in
d) im
Show answer
d) im. Possible takes im to mean not: im + possible = impossible, just as impatient is im + patient.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) incredible
b) impossable
c) horrible
d) sensible
Show answer
b) impossable. The ending here is ible, just as in the other three words.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
sbilpomeis
a) ipmossible
b) mipossible
c) impossible
d) imopssible
Show answer
c) impossible. Start with im, put poss after it, and the rest falls into place.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word: impossible
a) likely
b) easy
c) hopeless
d) simple
Show answer
c) hopeless. An impossible task is a hopeless one; easy, likely and simple mean the opposite.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which one of these can never be done?
a) climbing a very tall mountain
b) swimming across a wide river
c) walking from Delhi to Agra
d) touching the Sun with your hand
Show answer
d) touching the Sun with your hand
2. Gita tells her friend, 'It is impossible for me to come today.' Which is true?
a) She will try her best to come.
b) She will come a little late.
c) She cannot come at all.
d) She may come if it stops raining.
Show answer
c) She cannot come at all.
