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Definition of likelihood

likelihood

/ˈlaɪklihʊd/
like · li · hood
Adverb:likely
•
Plural:likelihoods
•
Adjective:likely
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likelihood Lexical Profile

likelihood Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or fact of something being probable or having a good chance of occurring.

Example

"Regular physical exercise significantly reduces the likelihood of developing chronic heart disease."

2

In statistics, the hypothetical probability that an observed outcome would be generated by a statistical model given specific parameter values.

Example

"The researchers used maximum likelihood estimation to determine the parameters that best fit the experimental data."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for likelihood

• Nearby Words

likably
like
likeableness
likelihood
likeliness
likely
liken

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 14th century, the word was formed in Middle English from the adjective 'likely' combined with the suffix '-hood', denoting a state or condition.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Likelihood. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/likelihood
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