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plausible

adjective

/ˈplɔːzɪbl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of plausible

Likely or appearing to be true, reasonable, or probable, although not necessarily proven or confirmed.
"The claim was plausible but needed more evidence to back it up."

Detailed meaning of plausible

It can also refer to something that is capable of being believed or accepted as true. The word comes from the Latin word "plausibilis" which means "worthy of applause" or "worthy of being approved."

In everyday use, "plausible" is often used to describe something that is likely or appears to be true, reasonable, or probable, although not necessarily proven or confirmed. For example, a plausible explanation is one that is likely or appears to be true, but it's not confirmed yet. A plausible excuse is one that sounds believable, even if it's not entirely true.

In literature, the term is often used to describe a situation, a character, or an event that is likely or appears to be true, reasonable, or probable, although not necessarily proven or confirmed. In this context, the word plausible is used to describe a character's story, or an event in a story that is likely to happen, but it is not yet confirmed. Additionally, it can be used to describe a statement, a piece of information or an idea that is not fully confirmed but is accepted as true or possible.

Example sentences containing plausible

1. The theory is plausible but further research is needed to confirm it.
2. The explanation was plausible but not entirely convincing.
3. The story was plausible but had a few inconsistencies.
4. The excuse was plausible but not entirely true.
5. The idea was plausible but required more planning and resources.
6. The hypothesis was plausible but needed more data to support it.

History and etymology of plausible

The adjective 'plausible' has its origins in Latin. It derives from the Latin word 'plausibilis,' which comes from 'plausus,' meaning 'applause' or 'approval.' In Latin, 'plausibilis' originally referred to something deserving of applause or approval, implying that it was worthy of belief or acceptance. Over time, this concept evolved to encompass the idea of something that is likely or appearing to be true, reasonable, or probable, even though it may not be definitively proven or confirmed. Therefore, etymologically, 'plausible' signifies the quality of an argument or statement that is convincing or acceptable, aligning with its modern usage in contexts where something seems credible or believable based on available evidence, though it may not be unequivocally established.

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Further usage examples of plausible

1. The argument was plausible but not entirely airtight.
2. The statement was plausible but not entirely accurate.
3. The theory is plausible but it is still being tested.
4. The story was plausible but it was hard to believe.
5. The explanation was plausible but it needed more details to make it convincing.
6. His explanation for the missing cookies sounded plausible, but suspicion remained.
7. The scientist proposed a plausible theory to explain the unusual phenomenon.
8. It seemed plausible that the traffic jam was caused by a major accident.
9. Her alibi was so plausible that the police had trouble finding evidence to the contrary.
10. The candidate presented a plausible strategy to boost the economy.
11. The plot twist in the novel was both surprising and plausible.
12. A plausible excuse saved him from getting in trouble for being late.
13. The detective considered various plausible motives for the crime.
14. Despite their skepticism, the jury found the witness's testimony plausible.
15. It was a plausible assumption that the storm would delay their flight.
16. The historian offered a plausible interpretation of the ancient text.
17. The plan appeared plausible on paper, but its execution was challenging.
18. Her dream of becoming an astronaut was plausible given her dedication.
19. The conspiracy theory lacked plausible evidence to support its claims.
20. The proposal for a new technology sounded plausible to the investors.
21. The meteorologist's forecast seemed plausible, but nature is unpredictable.
22. The suspect's alibi was too plausible to dismiss without investigation.
23. In science fiction, the idea of time travel is often portrayed as plausible.
24. The company's growth projections were based on plausible market trends.
25. Despite setbacks, they remained optimistic that a plausible solution would emerge.