The word "probable" is spelled with two syllables and pronounced as /ˈprɒbəbl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "prob" rhymes with "bob" and is pronounced with a short o sound /ɒ/, followed by a "b" sound. The second syllable "able" rhymes with "stable" and is pronounced with a long a sound /eɪ/, followed by a "bl" sound. The word means likely or possible, and is commonly used in everyday conversations and formal writing.
Probable is an adjective that is used to describe something that is likely to happen or be true. It suggests a high degree of likelihood or possibility. It is derived from the Latin word "probabilis," meaning likely or credible.
In various contexts, probable indicates that an event, outcome, or circumstance has a significant chance of occurring based on available information or evidence. It implies that there is a reasonable expectation of something happening, although it does not guarantee its certainty. Probable is often used synonymously with likely, plausible, or reasonably certain.
The term frequently appears in scientific, statistical, legal, and philosophical discussions, where it denotes the likelihood of a hypothesis or proposition being true. It is commonly employed in research and forecasting, where it represents the best estimate or prediction based on available data or knowledge.
In the field of law, probable often refers to the standard of proof required in criminal cases, known as "probable cause." This means that there must be enough evidence or facts to lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed.
Overall, probable is a term that conveys the idea of likelihood or strong possibility while recognizing that absolute certainty may not be attainable in many situations. It signifies a high level of confidence in the anticipated outcome or truthfulness of a statement or prediction.
• Probably.
• Having the appearance of truth; likely; credible.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "probable" originated from the Latin word "probabilis", which was derived from the verb "probari". "Probari" means "to prove" or "to test", and "probabilis" means "likely" or "credible". The Latin roots convey the concept of something being capable of being proven or demonstrated, thus suggesting its likelihood or plausibility. The word "probable" was first recorded in Middle English in the late 14th century with the same meaning as it holds today.