likely
likely Lexical Profile
likely Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having a high probability of occurring or being true; probable.
"Rain is the most likely outcome given the dark clouds gathering on the horizon."
Apparently suitable, promising, or well-adapted for a particular purpose.
"The scouting committee identified several likely candidates for the scholarship."
Seemingly true or credible; believable (often used ironical in the phrase 'a likely story').
"She offered a likely explanation for why the accounting records were delayed."
• adverb
In all probability; probably.
"The committee will likely announce its final decision by the end of the week."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal British English, 'likely' used as a standalone adverb is traditionally preceded by an intensifier such as 'very', 'most', or 'quite' (e.g., 'He will very likely attend'), whereas in American English it is freely used unmodified.
• Rhymes for likely
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'likli', borrowed from Old Norse 'likligr' ('probable, promising'), which derives from 'likr' ('like') and the adjective suffix '-ligr' ('-ly').