Definition of plausibly

The word "plausibly" has its roots in Latin. It is a combination of "plausus," meaning "applause," and the suffix "-ibly," which forms an adverb. In Latin, the word "plausibiliter" was used to mean "in a way that is worthy of applause" or "with applause." The word "plausibly" was borrowed into Middle English from Old French, where it was spelled "plausiblement." It first appeared in English in the 14th century, and initially meant "in a way that is worthy of applause" or "with praise." Over time, the meaning of "plausibly" expanded to include the idea of being likely or believable, often in a sense that is persuasive or convincing. Today, the word is commonly used to describe a claim or argument that is plausible, though not necessarily true. For example, "The story is told plausibly, but it's difficult to prove its accuracy."