likely
//ˈlaɪkli//
Forms
- Comparative
- more likely
- Superlative
- most likely
- Comparative
- more likely
- Superlative
- most likely
- Plural
- likelies
Definitions
1.Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.
- Rain is likely later this afternoon.
- Still, Saints looked the likeliest to make the breakthrough, and it came when Jonny Evans could only half-clear a long ball and Chaplow took full advantage.
- His parents, a restless, titanically self-involved father and a mother who cultivated her inner life in strict solitude, seem a much likelier source for his condition.
2.Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.
- Do you think there's likely to be snow?
- He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.
- People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?
3.Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.
- Jones is a likely candidate for management.
- The relationship with social status is a likely topic for investigation.
4.Plausible; within the realm of credibility.
- It isn't likely to rain today.
- The plant is likely to be closed next week.
- If you spend too much time in the sun without putting on sunscreen, you are likely to get a sunburn.
1.Probably.
- Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.
- He’ll likely win the election in this economy.
- He likely will win the election in this economy.
1.Something or somebody considered likely.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #651
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche
From Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent to like + -ly (adjectival suffix).