possibly

Universal Words adverb 1 used to say that sth might exist, happen or be true, but you are not certain SYNPERHAPS: This is possibly their worst performance ever. * She found it difficult to get on with her, possibly because of the difference in their ages. * 'Will you be around next week?' 'Possibly.' * 'I'm sure he didn't mean to be rude.' 'Quite possibly (= you may be right), but the damage has been done.' 2 (spoken) used to emphasize that you are surprised, annoyed, etc. about sth: You can't possibly mean that! * How could you possibly think that I had anything to do with it! 3 (spoken) used to ask sb politely to do sth: Could you possibly open that window for me? 4 used to say that sb will do or has done as much as they can in order to make sth happen: I will come as soon as I possibly can. * They tried everything they possibly could to improve the situation. * We don't want these rumours to spread if we can possibly avoid it. 5 (especially spoken) used with negatives, especially 'can't' and 'couldn't', to say strongly that you cannot do sth or that sth cannot or could not happen or be done: I can't possibly tell you that! * You can't possibly carry all those bags. * 'Let me buy it for you.' 'That's very kind of you, but I couldn't possibly (= accept).'