Words / C1

PLORZ-uh-bl/ˈplɔːzəbl/

Plausible means it sounds reasonable and might well be true — you could believe it, even if it is unproven. Native writers contrast a plausible account with a convincing one (which actually persuades) and with possible (which may still be unlikely). Implausible is the opposite. Plausibility is the noun.

Meaning

Seeming reasonable or likely to be true.

Examples

• “That is a plausible explanation.”
• “It is a plausible reading of the last paragraph, not the only one.”
• “The alibi was plausible until the timestamps appeared.”

Good to know

plausible = believable. possible = can happen (maybe rare). stronger: convincing. Opposite: implausible.

Near in meaning

believable

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