likely to be or to happen but not necessarily so most likely: the probable cause of the accident
a person who is probably to be chosen for a team, event, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
prob•a•ble /ˈprɑbəbəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- likely to occur or prove true:a probable defeat.
- having more evidence for something than against it:[It + be + ~ + that clause]Although anything is possible, it is more probable that he'll recover completely.
- likely to be or become:[before a noun]the probable successor to the throne.
prob•a•ble
(prob′ə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
- likely to occur or prove true:He foresaw a probable business loss. He is the probable writer of the article.
- having more evidence for than against, or evidence that inclines the mind to belief but leaves some room for doubt.
- affording ground for belief.
- Latin probābilis likely, literally, capable of standing a test, equivalent. to probā(re) to test (see probe) + -bilis -ble
- Middle English 1350–1400
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