adj
plausible
PLAW-zih-bl
adj
1
Seeming reasonable or believable, even if not proven true.
"His explanation for being late sounded plausible."
"Scientists proposed a plausible theory for the extinction event."
How to Use Plausible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSounding like it could reasonably be true.
Common mistake
Plausible means "believable," not "proven" — a plausible explanation might still turn out to be wrong.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
plausible explanation
perfectly plausible
plausible deniability
Word Forms
more plausible comparative, most plausible superlative
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His explanation for being late sounded _____.
Etymology
From Latin plausibilis, "deserving applause," from plaudere, "to applaud" — the sense shifted over time from "praiseworthy" to simply "believable."