How to Pronounce Impossible

To pronounce "impossible", say imp-OSS-ibl-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəɫ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

impossible

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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4

Syllables

10

Letters

/ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəɫ/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/ɪmpˈɒsəbəl/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “impossible

Break "impossible" into 4 beats and lean on "OSS" — that's the stressed one. It rhymes with possible and docible, if that helps it stick.

What does impossible mean?

noun

  1. An impossibility

    Late 14th century: “Madame,” quod he, “this were an impossible!” — Geoffrey Chaucer, ‘The Franklin's Tale’, Canterbury Tales

adjective

  1. Not possible; not able to be done or happen.

    It is difficult, if not impossible, to memorize 20,000 consecutive numbers.

  2. (of a person) Very difficult to deal with.

    You never listen to a word I say – you're impossible!

Synonyms

Antonyms

Hear “impossible” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with impossible

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

Related words

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "impossible"?

"Impossible" has 4 syllables: imp · oss · ibl · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "impossible"?

The IPA transcription of "impossible" is /ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəɫ/.

What does "impossible" mean?

Impossible: An impossibility

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