What does conceivable mean?
"Conceivable" is an adjective describing something that can be imagined, understood, or believed by the mind — in other words, something that lies within the limits of what we are able to think. It carries two closely related senses: first, that an idea can be mentally grasped or pictured, and second, that something is possible or could realistically occur, even if only in principle. The word is common in formal writing, particularly in science, philosophy, and journalism, where writers use it to weigh hypotheses ("it is conceivable that...") without committing to their likelihood. It also appears in emphatic constructions such as "every conceivable effort" or "by any conceivable means," which stress thoroughness or extremity. Its most famous relative is its negative, "inconceivable," which suggests something so improbable or alien that it cannot be grasped at all. Derived from the Latin verb concipere, meaning to take in or conceive, the word entered English in the early seventeenth century and remains a precise, useful tool for marking the boundary between the thinkable and the impossible.
adjectiveAble to be imagined, grasped, or believed by the mind; possible in principle.
- Capable of being imagined or thought of; within the bounds of what the mind can grasp.
- Possible or feasible in principle; able to happen or exist.
"Every conceivable precaution was taken before the launch."
"It is conceivable that life exists on other planets."
"They explored every conceivable route to the summit before choosing the safest one."
The word "inconceivable" appears far more often in everyday speech than "conceivable" itself — a rare case where a word's negative outshines its positive form.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conceivable
Conceivable derives from the Latin verb concipere, meaning "to take in, receive, or conceive," formed from con- (together) and capere (to take). The word passed into English via Old French conceivre, and the adjective conceivable was formed from the verb conceive with the suffix -able, first appearing in written English in the early seventeenth century. It shares this Latin root with cognates such as perceive, deceive, and concept, all built on the same idea of taking hold of something — whether with the senses, with intent, or with the mind.
Related word forms
How conceivable is actually used
"Conceivable" is neutral to slightly formal in register and appears frequently in academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. It often intensifies when paired with "every," "any," or "all" (as in "every conceivable angle"). In casual speech, "possible" frequently substitutes for it.
Easily confused with conceivable
"Perceivable" means capable of being noticed or detected through the senses, whereas "conceivable" means capable of being imagined or thought of by the mind.
"Inconceivable" is the direct opposite — something so unlikely or alien that it cannot be imagined at all.