plausible
/ˈplɔː.zɪ.bəl/Seeming reasonable or likely to be true, even without full proof. A plausible idea or explanation makes sense on the surface and is easy to accept. It does not mean something is definitely true — only that it could be.
- Her excuse for missing class sounded plausible to the teacher.
- The detective found the suspect's story plausible but unverified.
- Scientists proposed a plausible theory about the ancient climate.
Adinary Nuance
Plausible sits in a cluster of close neighbors — believable, credible, and convincing — but each carries a different shade of meaning. Plausible focuses on surface logic: the idea passes a basic reasonableness test, but you're not fully committed to accepting it as true. Believable is more personal and emotional — you feel it could be true. Credible shifts the focus onto the source — a credible witness is trustworthy, not just reasonable-sounding. Convincing, on the other hand, is the strongest of the group: a convincing argument actually changes your mind. Use plausible when something earns a "maybe" — it's especially useful in academic and IELTS writing when evaluating arguments that have merit but lack complete evidence.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Có vẻ hợp lý
- Spanish
- Verosímil
- Chinese
- 似乎合理的
- Japanese
- もっともらしい
- Korean
- 그럴듯한
Etymology
From Latin "plausibilis," meaning "deserving applause" or "acceptable," from "plaudere" (to clap, to applaud). The word entered English in the mid-16th century, shifting from "worthy of praise" to "worthy of belief."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'plausible' and 'credible'?
- 'Plausible' means an idea or explanation *seems* logical on the surface. 'Credible' focuses more on whether the *source* — a person, a claim, or evidence — can be trusted. A plausible story might still come from a non-credible person.
- Does 'plausible' mean something is definitely true?
- No. 'Plausible' only means something *could* be true or *seems* reasonable. It leaves room for doubt. If you want to say something is certainly true, use words like 'verified' or 'proven' instead.
- Is 'plausible' used in formal or academic writing?
- Yes, 'plausible' is common in both academic and formal writing. It is a useful word in IELTS essays when you want to say an argument or theory has some merit without fully agreeing with it.
- Can 'plausible' be used in a negative sense?
- It can carry a slightly skeptical tone — saying something is 'plausible' sometimes hints you are not fully persuaded. Phrases like 'plausible excuse' often suggest the speaker has mild suspicion about it.