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B2 adjective #3,500 most common 10 min read

plausible

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips plausible in 30 Seconds

Explanation plausible in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'plausible' is quite advanced. However, you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'it could be true.' Imagine you are playing a game and someone tells you a story. If the story sounds like it might have happened, it is 'plausible.' In A1 Spanish, we usually use simpler words like 'posible' (possible) or 'creíble' (believable). But if you learn 'plausible' now, you will sound very smart! Just remember: it describes an idea or a story, not a person. For example, 'La historia es plausible' means the story sounds okay and not like a crazy lie. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but recognizing it when you read a book or watch a movie will help you understand that the speaker is talking about something that makes sense. Think of it as a 'good' idea that might be real. Even if you are just starting, knowing that 'plausible' in Spanish looks almost exactly like the English word makes it an easy 'cognate' to remember. A cognate is a word that is the same in two languages. So, when you see 'plausible' in a Spanish sentence, you already know what it means!

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe things in more detail. 'Plausible' is an adjective you can use to talk about excuses or explanations. If you are late for class and tell your teacher that the bus was late, that is a 'plausible' excuse because buses often run late. If you tell your teacher a dragon ate your homework, that is 'no plausible' because dragons aren't real! At this level, focus on using 'plausible' with the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'parecer' (to seem). For example: 'Su respuesta parece plausible' (Their answer seems plausible). You are moving beyond just saying 'sí' or 'no' and starting to evaluate the information you receive. 'Plausible' helps you express that you are thinking about whether something is reasonable. It's a great word for simple debates in class. It is also helpful to know that the plural is 'plausibles.' So, if you have many ideas, you can say 'Estas ideas son plausibles.' This word helps you sound more professional even at a basic level of Spanish.

As a B1 learner, you are expected to handle more complex topics and express opinions. 'Plausible' becomes a very useful tool for your 'argumentative' vocabulary. When you are writing an essay or participating in a discussion about the environment, technology, or society, you can use 'plausible' to evaluate different theories. Instead of just saying 'creo que...' (I think that...), you can say 'Es una opción plausible' (It's a plausible option). This shows you are weighing the evidence. At this level, you should also be aware that 'plausible' is often used in the negative: 'no es plausible' or 'resulta poco plausible.' This is a polite way to disagree with someone's logic. For instance, if someone suggests a very expensive solution to a problem, you might say, 'No parece plausible financiar este proyecto ahora' (It doesn't seem plausible to fund this project now). You are also starting to see this word in news articles. When journalists talk about a 'hipótesis plausible' regarding a crime or a political event, they mean a theory that has some logical support. Mastering this word will help you transition from 'basic' Spanish to 'intermediate' Spanish where you can discuss abstract concepts.

At the B2 level, which is the level of this word, you should use 'plausible' with confidence in both formal writing and spoken debates. You should understand the nuance between 'plausible' and its synonyms like 'verosímil' or 'razonable.' At B2, you are expected to understand that 'plausible' specifically refers to the logical possibility or credibility of an argument or theory. You might use it in a business presentation: 'Presentamos un plan de negocio plausible para el próximo trimestre' (We are presenting a plausible business plan for the next quarter). You should also be able to use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Aunque no tenemos pruebas, la teoría es lo suficientemente plausible como para ser investigada' (Although we don't have proof, the theory is plausible enough to be investigated). At this stage, you should also be aware of the word's history—that it once meant 'praiseworthy'—though you will likely use the 'credible' meaning 99% of the time. You are now analyzing the *strength* of arguments, and 'plausible' is the perfect word for an argument that is strong enough to be taken seriously but hasn't been proven 100%.

At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate the stylistic weight of 'plausible.' You can use it to create a sense of academic objectivity or intellectual distance. For example, you might use the neuter article 'lo' to discuss 'lo plausible' as a philosophical or literary concept: 'El autor se mueve entre lo fantástico y lo plausible' (The author moves between the fantastic and the plausible). You should also be comfortable using it in high-level critiques of literature or film, perhaps comparing it to 'verosimilitud' (verisimilitude). At C1, you use 'plausible' to denote a specific type of credibility—one based on external logic and structural integrity. You might also encounter it in legal or scientific texts where the 'praiseworthy' (loable) meaning might occasionally surface in very formal, old-fashioned contexts, and you should be able to distinguish the two based on context. Your use of 'plausible' should feel natural and well-placed, appearing in discussions about complex social phenomena, scientific breakthroughs, or intricate legal defenses. You are not just using the word; you are using it to navigate the subtle shades of truth and possibility.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's nuances and its place within the broader Spanish lexicon. You understand that 'plausible' is often a preferred term in modern scientific prose, possibly due to the influence of English, yet you also know when 'verosímil' would be more stylistically appropriate in a literary or traditional Spanish context. You can use 'plausible' to engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of truth and evidence. For instance, you might discuss the 'plausibilidad' (plausibility) of a metaphysical claim or a complex socio-economic model. You are aware of the word's etymological roots in the Latin 'plausibilis' (worthy of applause) and can use it in its archaic sense if writing a formal encomium or a piece of high-style literature, though you do so intentionally. Your mastery allows you to use 'plausible' to dissect arguments with surgical precision, identifying exactly why a statement might be logically consistent yet factually incorrect. In your speech and writing, 'plausible' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for critical thinking, used to categorize the vast spectrum of human thought between the impossible and the certain.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

plausible in 30 Seconds

Plausible means 'reasonable' or 'credible' in modern Spanish usage.
It is a B2-level adjective used for theories, excuses, and arguments.
It is a cognate of the English word 'plausible' but has an archaic meaning of 'praiseworthy'.
Commonly used in academic, legal, and scientific contexts to describe logical consistency.

The Spanish word plausible is a fascinating linguistic bridge between logic and approval. In modern Spanish, especially in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts, it is used to describe an idea, explanation, or argument that seems reasonable, credible, or likely to be true. It is the hallmark of a hypothesis that, while perhaps not yet proven, stands up to the initial scrutiny of common sense and known facts. When you encounter a situation where the evidence is not absolute but the story 'makes sense,' you are dealing with something plausible.

The Modern Logic: In everyday conversation, if a friend gives you an excuse for being late that involves a specific traffic accident you also heard about on the radio, that excuse is plausible. It fits the external reality and lacks internal contradictions.
The Academic Weight: In scientific discourse, a 'hipótesis plausible' is one that aligns with existing laws of physics or biology. It is the first hurdle any new theory must clear before it is even considered for rigorous testing.

El detective presentó una teoría plausible sobre cómo el ladrón entró en la bóveda sin activar las alarmas.

The detective presented a plausible theory on how the thief entered the vault without triggering the alarms.

Historically, and this is a crucial nuance for advanced learners, plausible in Spanish also carried the meaning of 'digno de aplauso' (praiseworthy or commendable). While this usage is becoming rarer and is often replaced by words like loable or admirable, you might still find it in formal literature or older texts. However, in the 21st century, influenced by the English cognate, the meaning of 'reasonable' or 'credible' has become dominant. It is a word that demands a certain level of intellectual maturity; you wouldn't typically hear a toddler using it, but you will find it throughout Spanish-language newspapers like El País or scientific journals.

Aunque su historia no es plausible, la gente decidió creerle por pura simpatía.

When using this word, you are often evaluating the quality of an argument. It sits comfortably between 'posible' (possible) and 'probable' (probable). A 'posible' event might have a 1% chance of happening, but a 'plausible' explanation suggests a higher degree of logical consistency. It is the bridge between 'maybe' and 'likely.' In legal settings, a defense attorney strives to create a 'duda razonable' (reasonable doubt) by offering a 'relato plausible' that contradicts the prosecution's narrative. If the jury finds the alternative story plausible, they cannot convict.

Contextual Usage: Use it when discussing politics, science, mystery novels, or complex social situations where the truth is obscured but logic remains applicable.

No es plausible que el gobierno no supiera nada sobre el escándalo financiero.

Integrating plausible into your Spanish requires understanding its role as an adjective. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, though since it ends in '-e', it remains the same for both masculine and feminine singular nouns. The plural form is plausibles. It typically follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Spanish that provide essential information about the noun's character.

Syntactic Placement: Usually: [Noun] + plausible. Example: 'Una explicación plausible'. Occasionally, for poetic or rhetorical emphasis, it can precede the noun: 'Su plausible argumento convenció a todos', though this is much more common in the 'praiseworthy' sense than the 'credible' sense.

Buscamos una alternativa plausible al uso de combustibles fósiles en la aviación.

We are looking for a plausible alternative to the use of fossil fuels in aviation.

One of the most common ways to use 'plausible' is in negative constructions. Phrases like 'no es plausible' or 'resulta poco plausible' are frequent when debunking myths, criticizing weak arguments, or expressing skepticism. In these cases, the word acts as a polite but firm way to call something 'unbelievable' or 'nonsense' without being overtly aggressive. It attacks the logic of the statement rather than the character of the speaker.

Esas excusas ya no resultan plausibles después de lo que descubrimos ayer.

In more advanced constructions, 'plausible' can be used with the neuter article 'lo' to create an abstract noun phrase: 'lo plausible'. This refers to 'that which is plausible' or 'the plausible side of things.' For example, 'Debemos separar lo plausible de lo fantástico' (We must separate the plausible from the fantastic). This is a very high-level way to speak and will make you sound like a native speaker with a strong command of the language's nuances.

Common Verb Pairings

Hacer plausible: To make something seem credible.
Considerar plausible: To consider something reasonable.
Resultar plausible: To prove/turn out to be believable.

El autor logra hacer plausible un mundo donde la magia y la tecnología coexisten.

While you might not hear plausible shouted in a crowded market or at a football match, it is a staple of 'culto' (educated) Spanish. You will hear it constantly in documentaries, news broadcasts, legal dramas, and university lectures. It is the language of the 'mesa redonda' (round table discussion) and the 'debate político'. If you watch news programs like 'Informe Semanal' in Spain or 'Aristegui Noticias' in Mexico, the word will appear whenever experts are analyzing complex events.

In the Courtroom: In legal contexts, lawyers use 'plausible' to describe a version of events that could have happened. It is a strategic word. A lawyer doesn't always need to prove their client is innocent; they just need to provide a plausible alternative to the prosecutor's story.

La fiscalía argumentó que la coartada del acusado no era plausible dada la evidencia de GPS.

In the world of science and technology, 'plausible' is the bread and butter of innovation. Before a project receives funding, it must be deemed 'técnicamente plausible'. You'll hear engineers and tech CEOs using it during product launches or during 'pitches' to investors. It signals that the idea isn't just a dream, but something that can actually be built using current or near-future technology. If you are interested in the Spanish-speaking tech world, this is a word you must master.

¿Crees que sea plausible colonizar Marte en los próximos veinte años?

Furthermore, in the realm of literary criticism and film reviews, 'plausible' is used to discuss the 'verosimilitud' (verisimilitude) of a story. A critic might say that a character's sudden change of heart wasn't 'plausible,' meaning it didn't feel earned or consistent with their previous actions. This usage helps you express nuanced opinions about the media you consume in Spanish. It moves your conversation beyond 'me gusta' (I like it) or 'es bueno' (it's good) to a more analytical level.

In Journalism: Journalists use it to maintain objectivity. Instead of saying 'The president lied,' they might say 'The president's explanation does not seem plausible,' which is a more professional way of casting doubt.

El analista ofreció una visión plausible sobre el futuro de la economía europea.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with plausible is assuming it is *always* the best word for 'credible.' While it is a perfect cognate, Spanish has a very strong preference for the word verosímil in many formal and literary contexts. If you use 'plausible' exclusively, you might sound a bit 'anglicized.' Native speakers use 'verosímil' when talking about the internal logic of a story or a lie, and 'plausible' more often for scientific or technical feasibility.

The 'Praiseworthy' Trap: As mentioned before, some older dictionaries or very traditional speakers might still use 'plausible' to mean 'worthy of praise.' If you say 'Su conducta fue plausible,' an older Spaniard might think you are praising them, while a younger one will think you are saying their behavior was 'believable.' To avoid confusion, use 'loable' for praise and 'plausible' for credibility.

❌ Incorrecto: Su esfuerzo fue plausible (meaning 'credible').
✅ Correcto: Su esfuerzo fue loable (praiseworthy).

Another mistake is the pronunciation of the 'au' diphthong. English speakers often want to say 'ploh-sible' or 'plaw-sible.' In Spanish, the 'a' and 'u' must be distinct yet merged into one syllable. It's 'PLAU' (like 'clown' without the 'n'). If you mispronounce the diphthong, the word becomes hard to recognize. Also, remember that the 's' is always a soft 's' sound, never a 'z' sound like in the English pronunciation of 'plausible'.

❌ Incorrecto: Es una persona muy plausible (meaning 'believable person').
✅ Correcto: Es una persona creíble.

A subtle error is using 'plausible' to describe people. In English, we rarely say 'a plausible person' (we usually say 'a credible person'), and the same applies to Spanish. 'Plausible' is for ideas, theories, arguments, and excuses. If you describe a person as 'plausible,' it sounds very strange. Stick to creíble, fiable (reliable), or honesto (honest) for people.

Preposition Errors: Don't use 'para' after plausible if you mean 'plausible to someone.' Use 'para' only if you are describing suitability. Usually, we just say 'le parece plausible a alguien' (it seems plausible to someone).

La propuesta no resultó plausible para los inversores.

To truly master the semantic field of 'plausibility' in Spanish, you need to know the alternatives. Spanish is a language that values precision and variety, so using the same word repeatedly will make your speech sound repetitive. Depending on whether you are talking about a lie, a scientific theory, or a moral action, you should choose your words carefully.

Verosímil vs. Plausible: Verosímil: This is the gold standard for 'truth-like.' It comes from 'vero' (true) and 'símil' (similar). Use this for stories, plots, and excuses. If a movie has a plot hole, you say it's 'poco verosímil.'
Plausible: Use this for technical feasibility and logical arguments. It sounds more modern and slightly more scientific.
Creíble: This is the most common, everyday word. It can be used for people, stories, and facts. If you aren't sure which word to use, 'creíble' is almost always safe. It simply means 'believable.'
Loable / Admisible: Loable: Use this if you want the 'praiseworthy' meaning that 'plausible' used to have.
Admisible: Use this if you mean 'acceptable' or 'allowable,' especially in a legal or formal context.

Aunque la teoría es plausible, no es del todo verosímil en este contexto histórico.

When comparing these words, think about the 'source' of the belief. 'Creíble' is about the person's ability to believe. 'Verosímil' is about the story's internal consistency. 'Plausible' is about the logical possibility within the real world. For example, a story about aliens might be 'verosímil' (it makes sense within the movie's logic) but not 'plausible' (it doesn't fit our current scientific understanding of the universe).

Es posible que llueva, pero no es plausible que nieve en el desierto hoy.

Finally, consider 'razonable.' This is often used as a synonym for 'plausible' when discussing human behavior or expectations. 'Es razonable pensar que...' (It is reasonable to think that...). While 'plausible' focuses on the argument itself, 'razonable' focuses on the logic of the person thinking it. Choosing between them depends on whether you want to sound more clinical (plausible) or more humanistic (razonable).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word originally had nothing to do with logic and everything to do with clapping! Over time, it shifted from 'worthy of applause' to 'acceptable' and finally to 'believable'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈplɔː.zə.bəl/

US /ˈplɑː.zə.bəl/

In Spanish: plau-SI-ble (stress on the second-to-last syllable).

Rhymes With

terrible posible increíble visible sensible comestible temible flexible

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'au' as two separate syllables.
Using a 'z' sound for the 's'.
Stressing the first syllable like in English.
Mispronouncing the 'i' as 'ai'.
Forgetting the silent 'e' in English doesn't exist in Spanish.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because it's a cognate.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of subjunctive patterns like 'Es plausible que'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'au' diphthong and stress can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Easy to understand if you know the English word.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

posible creíble verdad historia parecer

Learn Next

verosímil hipótesis argumento evidencia loable

Advanced

epistemología empírico conjetura refutar axioma

Grammar to Know

Subjunctive after impersonal expressions

Es plausible que *venga*.

Adjective agreement in number

Las teorías son *plausibles*.

Position of adjectives

Una explicación *plausible* (after the noun).

Neuter article 'lo'

Debemos buscar *lo plausible*.

Adverbs ending in -mente

Actuó *plausiblemente*.

Examples by Level

Tu idea es plausible.

Your idea is plausible.

Simple adjective use after 'es'.

No es una historia plausible.

It is not a plausible story.

Negative construction with 'no es'.

¿Es plausible?

Is it plausible?

Basic question structure.

El plan es plausible.

The plan is plausible.

Subject-Verb-Adjective.

Parece plausible.

It seems plausible.

Using 'parecer' instead of 'ser'.

Una explicación plausible.

A plausible explanation.

Noun + Adjective order.

Sus razones son plausibles.

Their reasons are plausible.

Plural agreement: reasons (razones) + plausibles.

Es muy plausible.

It is very plausible.

Using the intensifier 'muy'.

La excusa del tráfico es plausible.

The traffic excuse is plausible.

Specific noun phrase 'la excusa del tráfico'.

Esa teoría no me parece plausible.

That theory does not seem plausible to me.

Indirect object 'me' with 'parecer'.

Buscamos una solución plausible.

We are looking for a plausible solution.

Verb 'buscar' + noun + adjective.

El resultado final es plausible.

The final result is plausible.

Describing a result.

Ellos tienen una meta plausible.

They have a plausible goal.

Using 'tener' + noun + adjective.

¿Crees que sea plausible?

Do you think it's plausible?

Subjunctive 'sea' after '¿crees que...?' in a question.

Su versión de los hechos es plausible.

His version of the events is plausible.

Possessive 'su' + noun phrase.

No hay una respuesta plausible.

There is no plausible answer.

Using 'no hay' (there is not).

Es plausible que el clima cambie pronto.

It is plausible that the weather will change soon.

Impersonal 'Es plausible que' + subjunctive.

La fiscalía no halló un motivo plausible.

The prosecution did not find a plausible motive.

Past tense 'halló' with 'motivo plausible'.

Necesitamos un argumento más plausible.

We need a more plausible argument.

Comparative 'más plausible'.

Su teoría científica es bastante plausible.

His scientific theory is quite plausible.

Adverb 'bastante' modifying the adjective.

Considero que su propuesta es plausible.

I consider that his proposal is plausible.

Verb 'considerar' + subordinate clause.

No resulta plausible culpar al sistema.

It doesn't turn out to be plausible to blame the system.

Verb 'resultar' + infinitive 'culpar'.

La película tiene un final poco plausible.

The movie has a not very plausible ending.

Using 'poco' as a negative modifier.

Es plausible, pero difícil de probar.

It's plausible, but difficult to prove.

Contrastive structure with 'pero'.

Dada la evidencia, su hipótesis es plausible.

Given the evidence, his hypothesis is plausible.

Introductory phrase 'Dada la evidencia'.

La defensa presentó un relato plausible del incidente.

The defense presented a plausible account of the incident.

Noun 'relato' (account/story).

No es plausible que el sospechoso estuviera allí.

It is not plausible that the suspect was there.

Subjunctive 'estuviera' after negative impersonal expression.

El autor hace plausible lo imposible.

The author makes the impossible plausible.

Direct object 'lo imposible' made plausible.

Resulta plausible pensar en una reconciliación.

It turns out to be plausible to think of a reconciliation.

Impersonal 'resulta plausible' + infinitive.

Es una explicación plausible para el fenómeno.

It is a plausible explanation for the phenomenon.

Prepositional phrase 'para el fenómeno'.

Sus conclusiones son lógicas y plausibles.

His conclusions are logical and plausible.

Coordinated adjectives.

Buscamos un escenario plausible para el simulacro.

We are looking for a plausible scenario for the drill.

Specific noun 'escenario' (scenario).

La verosimilitud del relato lo hace plausible.

The verisimilitude of the story makes it plausible.

Abstract noun 'verosimilitud' as subject.

Es plausible suponer que hubo una filtración.

It is plausible to assume that there was a leak.

Infinitive 'suponer' as the subject of the sentence.

Su conducta, aunque extraña, es plausible.

His behavior, though strange, is plausible.

Parenthetical 'aunque extraña'.

No hallo una justificación plausible para tal acto.

I don't find a plausible justification for such an act.

Formal verb 'hallar' and 'tal acto'.

El informe ofrece una alternativa plausible al caos.

The report offers a plausible alternative to the chaos.

Noun phrase 'una alternativa plausible'.

Lo plausible no siempre coincide con lo real.

The plausible doesn't always coincide with the real.

Neuter article 'lo' creating abstract nouns.

Es una hipótesis plausible dentro de este marco teórico.

It is a plausible hypothesis within this theoretical framework.

Academic phrase 'marco teórico'.

La trama se mantiene plausible hasta el final.

The plot remains plausible until the end.

Reflexive 'se mantiene' (remains).

La plausibilidad de su discurso fue cuestionada.

The plausibility of his speech was questioned.

Noun form 'plausibilidad'.

Resulta difícil discernir lo plausible de lo ficticio.

It turns out to be difficult to discern the plausible from the fictitious.

High-level verb 'discernir'.

Su tesis es plausible pero carece de rigor empírico.

His thesis is plausible but lacks empirical rigor.

Academic contrast 'carece de rigor empírico'.

Es plausible que estemos ante un cambio de paradigma.

It is plausible that we are facing a paradigm shift.

Metaphorical 'cambio de paradigma'.

La obra es plausible en su contexto histórico-social.

The work is plausible in its historical-social context.

Compound adjective 'histórico-social'.

El argumento deviene plausible tras el análisis.

The argument becomes plausible after the analysis.

Sophisticated verb 'devenir' (to become).

No es una premisa plausible para una investigación.

It is not a plausible premise for an investigation.

Academic noun 'premisa'.

Su defensa se basó en una narrativa plausible.

His defense was based on a plausible narrative.

Passive-like 'se basó en'.

Synonyms

creíble razonable probable verosímil aceptable

Antonyms

increíble improbable absurdo

Common Collocations

explicación plausible

teoría plausible

hipótesis plausible

argumento plausible

excusa plausible

relato plausible

poco plausible

plausible que

escenario plausible

motivo plausible

Common Phrases

Resulta plausible

— It turns out to be believable or reasonable.

Resulta plausible pensar que se olvidó.

No es plausible

— It is not believable; it doesn't make sense.

No es plausible que ganara sin entrenar.

De manera plausible

— In a way that seems reasonable.

Explicó el error de manera plausible.

Hacer plausible

— To make something seem credible.

Los efectos especiales hacen plausible la magia.

Considerar plausible

— To think of something as a reasonable possibility.

Consideramos plausible su renuncia.

Parecer plausible

— To look or sound believable.

Su versión parece plausible a primera vista.

Ser poco plausible

— To be unlikely or hard to believe.

Esa coincidencia es poco plausible.

Lo más plausible

— The most reasonable option or explanation.

Lo más plausible es que se perdiera el correo.

Duda plausible

— A reasonable doubt (often used in legal contexts).

Existe una duda plausible sobre su culpabilidad.

Hipótesis más plausible

— The most likely explanation among several.

Es la hipótesis más plausible hasta ahora.

Often Confused With

plausible vs posible

Posible means it *can* happen; plausible means it *makes sense*.

plausible vs probable

Probable means it is *likely* to happen; plausible is about logic.

plausible vs verosímil

Very similar, but verosímil is more common for stories/fiction.

Idioms & Expressions

"Atar cabos plausibles"

— To connect reasonable clues to form a conclusion.

El detective ató cabos plausibles para resolver el caso.

informal

"Vender algo como plausible"

— To try to make a lie sound like a reasonable truth.

Intentó vender su mentira como algo plausible.

neutral

"Caer por su propio peso plausible"

— When something is so reasonable it doesn't need proof.

Su inocencia cae por su propio peso plausible.

literary

"No tener ni pies ni cabeza plausible"

— To not even have a hint of plausibility.

Su historia no tiene ni pies ni cabeza plausible.

informal

"Ser harina de otro costal plausible"

— To be a completely different reasonable matter.

Eso ya es harina de otro costal plausible.

colloquial

"Poner en tela de juicio lo plausible"

— To question even the most reasonable explanations.

Puso en tela de juicio lo plausible de mi argumento.

formal

"Dar gato por liebre plausible"

— To pass off a fake as a plausible truth.

Me dio gato por liebre plausible con ese informe.

informal

"Estar en el filo de lo plausible"

— To be on the edge of what is believable.

Esa película está en el filo de lo plausible.

neutral

"Cantar las verdades plausibles"

— To tell the reasonable but uncomfortable truths.

Le cantó las verdades plausibles a su jefe.

informal

"Morder el anzuelo de lo plausible"

— To believe something just because it sounds reasonable.

Mordió el anzuelo de lo plausible sin investigar.

informal

Easily Confused

plausible vs Loable

Plausible used to mean loable.

Loable is for praise; Plausible is for logic.

Su meta es loable, pero su plan no es plausible.

plausible vs Creíble

They both mean believable.

Creíble is general; Plausible is more formal/academic.

Es un hombre creíble con una idea plausible.

plausible vs Razonable

Both imply logic.

Razonable is about the person's thinking; Plausible is about the argument.

Es razonable creer que la teoría es plausible.

plausible vs Factible

Both relate to possibility.

Factible means 'doable' (practical); Plausible means 'believable' (logical).

El plan es plausible, pero no es factible por falta de dinero.

plausible vs Veraz

Both relate to truth.

Veraz means 'truthful' (a person who tells the truth); Plausible means 'sounding true'.

Un testigo veraz dio un testimonio plausible.

Sentence Patterns

Es [adjetivo].

Es plausible.

Parece [adjetivo].

Parece plausible.

Es plausible que [subjuntivo].

Es plausible que llueva.

Resulta poco plausible [infinitivo].

Resulta poco plausible ganar así.

Lo [adjetivo] de la [sustantivo].

Lo plausible de la teoría.

[Sustantivo] deviene [adjetivo].

La hipótesis deviene plausible.

No hallar [sustantivo] plausible.

No halló motivo plausible.

Considerar [sustantivo] como plausible.

Considero su plan como plausible.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in educated speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'plausible' for people. → Es una persona creíble.
Plausible is for ideas/theories, not characters.
Pronouncing it like English 'ploh-sible'. → Plau-si-ble (ow sound).
Spanish diphthongs are different from English vowels.
Forgetting the subjunctive after 'Es plausible que'. → Es plausible que *tengas* razón.
Impersonal expressions of possibility trigger the subjunctive.
Using it to mean 'praiseworthy' in a casual chat. → Su acción fue loable.
The archaic meaning can confuse people today.
Misplacing the stress. → plau-SI-ble.
The stress is on the penultimate syllable.

Tips

Upgrade Your Spanish

Use 'plausible' instead of 'posible' when you want to sound more professional in a debate.

Subjunctive Alert

Remember to use the subjunctive after 'Es plausible que...'. Example: 'Es plausible que *sepa* la verdad'.

The 'AU' Sound

Make sure to pronounce the 'au' as one sound, like in the English word 'how'.

Academic Tone

In scientific papers, 'plausible' is the standard word for hypotheses that make sense.

Legal Use

In a trial, a 'relato plausible' is often enough to create reasonable doubt.

Avoid Repetition

Alternate between 'plausible', 'verosímil', and 'creíble' to make your writing more interesting.

Historical Context

Knowing it meant 'praiseworthy' helps when reading old Spanish literature.

News Watching

Watch the news and count how many times they use 'plausible' when discussing politics.

Softskepticism

Use 'no me parece plausible' to disagree politely with someone's idea.

Cognate Power

Since it's almost the same as English, focus on the Spanish pronunciation and grammar patterns.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Plausible' as 'Plus-Able'. If an idea has a 'plus' (it's good) and is 'able' (to be true), it is plausible.

Visual Association

Imagine a detective looking at a puzzle. The pieces that fit perfectly are 'plausible'.

Word Web

Lógica Verdad Argumento Teoría Excusa Ciencia Derecho Duda

Challenge

Try to explain a weird event from your life using the word 'plausible' in Spanish.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'plausibilis', which means 'worthy of applause'.

Original meaning: Something that deserves to be applauded or approved.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using the 'praiseworthy' meaning in modern contexts as it may be misunderstood.

English speakers use it more often in daily life than Spanish speakers, who might prefer 'creíble'.

Scientific journals (Nature in Spanish) Legal codes Literary reviews

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Ciencia

Hipótesis plausible
Mecanismo plausible
Teoría plausible
Explicación plausible

Derecho

Duda plausible
Relato plausible
Defensa plausible
Prueba plausible

Periodismo

Versión plausible
Escenario plausible
Causa plausible
Motivo plausible

Literatura

Trama plausible
Personaje plausible
Final plausible
Giro plausible

Vida diaria

Excusa plausible
Razón plausible
Plan plausible
Idea plausible

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que es plausible que los humanos vivan en Marte pronto?"

"¿Cuál es la excusa más plausible que has dado por llegar tarde?"

"¿Te parece plausible la teoría de la evolución?"

"¿Crees que un final feliz siempre es plausible en las películas?"

"¿Es plausible que la inteligencia artificial supere a los humanos?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una teoría de conspiración que te parezca plausible y explica por qué.

Describe un momento en el que diste una explicación poco plausible y qué pasó.

¿Es plausible que el mundo cambie para mejor en los próximos diez años? Argumenta tu respuesta.

Analiza si la trama de tu libro favorito es plausible.

Imagina un escenario plausible para el fin de la pobreza en el mundo.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Sí, es muy común en contextos formales, académicos y en las noticias, aunque en el habla cotidiana la gente suele usar 'creíble'.

No es común. Es mejor decir 'una persona creíble' o 'fiable'. 'Plausible' se usa para ideas, no para personas.

'Verosímil' se usa más para la coherencia de una historia o ficción, mientras que 'plausible' se usa más para teorías y argumentos lógicos.

Históricamente sí, pero en el español moderno casi siempre significa 'reasonable' o 'credible'. Para 'praiseworthy', usa 'loable'.

Se puede decir 'implausible', pero es mucho más común decir 'poco plausible' o 'inverosímil'.

No, es una palabra llana que termina en vocal, por lo que no lleva tilde.

No es un anglicismo puro porque existe en español desde hace siglos, pero su significado moderno de 'creíble' ha sido reforzado por el inglés.

Se considera un nivel B2, pero los estudiantes de niveles inferiores pueden entenderla fácilmente por su parecido con el inglés.

El sustantivo es 'plausibilidad'.

Sí, se entiende y se usa en todo el mundo hispano, especialmente en medios de comunicación.