plausible

/ˈplɔːzəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈplɔːzəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈplȯ-zə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

plausible — 形容詞

  • plausiblepositive
  • more plausiblecomparative
  • most plausiblesuperlative

1. describes a statement, idea, or reason that sounds reasonable enough that you mi

1.形容詞C2
釋義

貌似可信

聽起來合理、可能屬實的說法或理由

describes a statement, idea, or reason that sounds reasonable enough that you might accept it as true, even though you have not yet checked the facts.

例句

Detective Lin found Marcus's alibi plausible until the security camera proved otherwise.

Lin 警探原本覺得 Marcus 的不在場證明貌似可信，直到監視器畫面戳破了他的說法。

find + object + plausible

It seems plausible that the fire started near the old kitchen wiring.

火災起因看似合理地落在那段老舊的廚房電線上。

it seems plausible that-clause

同義詞
  • credible

    stronger — suggests the speaker actively believes it, not just that it sounds possible

  • believable

    more everyday register; covers stories and characters in fiction too

  • reasonable

    wider — covers logical soundness, not just truth-likeness

  • convincing

    implies the listener has actually been persuaded, not merely tempted to agree

反義詞
  • implausible

    direct opposite — sounds unlikely to be true

  • far-fetched

    informal; suggests an idea that stretches belief too much

  • unbelievable

    stronger; can also mean 'amazing' in positive contexts

文法句型

it seems plausible that-clause

a plausible explanation/reason/theory

用法筆記

Frequently modifies abstract nouns like explanation, reason, theory, story, or excuse. Distinguish from sense 2 (adjective/2): this sense judges an idea or argument; sense 2 judges a person's manner. You can call a story plausible without saying anything bad — but calling a person plausible often hints at distrust.

常見錯誤

❌The cake tastes plausible.
✅The cake tastes good.
💡plausible describes ideas or claims, not flavours, looks, or physical qualities.
❌I am plausible that he will come.
✅It is plausible that he will come.
💡use 'it is plausible that…', not a personal subject.

2. describes a person, or the way they speak, that comes across as honest and since

2.形容詞C2
釋義

油嘴滑舌

看似誠懇但其實心機重、想騙人的

describes a person, or the way they speak, that comes across as honest and sincere, often as a way to deceive others — for example, a smooth salesman or a clever conman who easily wins your trust.

例句

The conman was so plausible that even my grandmother handed over her savings.

那名騙徒巧言令色，連我奶奶都把畢生積蓄交給了他。

predicative: be so plausible that-clause

Marcus is a plausible liar, which is exactly why nobody on the jury caught him.

Marcus 是個會說謊還讓人信以為真的人，這正是陪審團裡沒人識破他的原因。

collocation: a plausible liar/conman/rogue

同義詞
  • smooth

    informal; same idea of fluent, polished talk that may not be sincere

  • glib

    stronger negative tone; emphasises shallow, ready-made answers

  • specious

    formal; focuses on arguments that look fair but are actually false

反義詞
  • blunt

    describes a speaker who sounds direct and rough, with no smooth charm

  • transparent

    in this contrast, means clearly open and honest — easy to read

文法句型

a plausible liar/salesman/conman

用法筆記

Carries a clearly negative tone — almost always implies the person is hiding something. Subject is usually a person (liar, conman, salesman, politician) or a personal feature (manner, smile, voice). Distinguish from sense 1 (adjective/1): sense 1 judges what is said, sense 2 judges who is saying it. Calling a friend 'plausible' would sound like an accusation.

常見錯誤

❌My new friend is so plausible and kind.
✅My new friend is so charming and kind.
💡calling a person plausible suggests you suspect them of being dishonest.
❌The story sounds plausible because the writer is plausible.
✅The story sounds plausible because the writer is convincing.
💡'plausible writer' implies the writer is a smooth liar, which is rarely the meaning intended.