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probabilis

Etymology and origin of the Latin word probabilis

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Afranius
Ultimate origin
Latin (probus)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [prɔˈbaː.bɪ.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈbaː.bi.lis][1]

Forms

probābilis (neuter probābile, comparative probābilior, adverb probābiliter); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from probō “to approve, prove” with the suffix -bilis; ⟨probō⟩ is from probus “good”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Afranius, of something commendable.[2] Köbler dates Afranius to the second half of the 2nd century BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant worthy of approval, commendable, as in Afranius; of arguments plausible, credible, as in the Rhetorica ad Herennium and Cicero's ratiō probābilis; and having the appearance of truth, probable, likely, as in Cicero.[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant probable, credible, plausible.[6] Medieval Latin used it for trustworthy, and for clear, conclusive.[7] English probable (late 14th century, “likely, reasonable”) came through Old French.[3]

Timeline

  • 2nd half of the 2nd century BC – Afranius uses it.[2][4]
  • 86/82 BC – the Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of arguments.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English probable is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Commendable, acceptable.[2]
  2. Plausible, credible.[2]
  3. Probable, likely.[2]

Word family

  • improbābilis
  • perprobabilis
  • probābilitās
  • probābiliter

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
Cite this entry

“Probabilis.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/probabilis. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·