likelyadj.adv.n.

Brit.

/ˈlʌɪkli/, U.S.

/ˈlaɪkli/

Forms: Middle English lekely, Middle English lickelie, Middle English lickli, Middle English licli, Middle English licly, Middle English liclye, Middle English lijkli, Middle English lijkly, Middle English likkely, Middle English likliche, Middle English liklyche, Middle English lyckely, Middle English lycly, Middle English lykkely, Middle English lykli, Middle English–1500s lyckly, Middle English–1500s lykly, Middle English–1600s likeli, Middle English–1600s likli, Middle English–1600s lykely, Middle English (1800s English regional (northern)) lickly, Middle English–1700s (1800s English regional (northern)) likly, Middle English– likely, 1500s likelye, 1500s–1600s likelie, 1800s lahklee (English regional (Yorkshire)), 1800s likle (English regional (northern)), 1800s loikely (English regional (Leicestershire)); Scottish pre-1700 leiklie, pre-1700 lickely, pre-1700 licklie, pre-1700 liclie, pre-1700 likelie, pre-1700 likle, pre-1700 liklie, pre-1700 liklye, pre-1700 lycklie, pre-1700 lyckly, pre-1700 lykelie, pre-1700 lykely, pre-1700 lyklie, pre-1700 lykly, pre-1700 1700s– likely, pre-1700 1700s– likly, pre-1700 1800s lickly, 1800s–1900s lekly, 1800s– laekly (Shetland), 1900s leikely.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Apparently partly a borrowing from early Scandinavian. Apparently partly a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: English gelīclic.

Etymology: Apparently partly (i) < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic líkligr probable, promising, Old Swedish likliker reasonable (Swedish liklig similar, probable, appropriate (now rare)), Danish ligelig similar, reasonable, even; originally aphetic < a form reflected by Old Icelandic glíkligr probable, fit, promising; < the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic glíkr ylike adj. + the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic -ligr -ly suffix¹), and probably partly (ii) (in senses A. 4 and A. 6) aphetic < an otherwise unattested reflex (see note) of Old English gelīclic fitting, proper ( < ylike adj. + -ly suffix¹). Compare also Middle Low German gelīklik , līklik fair, appropriate. With use as adverb compare Old Icelandic glíkliga , líkliga favourably, probably, Old Swedish liklika similarly (Swedish †likliga ). Compare also Old English gelīclīce equally ( < ylike adj. + -ly suffix²) and Middle Low German gelīkliken , līkliken in the same manner, appropriately. In sense A. 7 perhaps influenced by like v.¹The marked difference in sense between the forms in West Germanic and North Germanic suggests that they reflect independent formations from the same elements. It has sometimes been suggested that the posited unprefixed Old English adjective *līclic fitting, apt, is in fact attested in the following two glosses:OE Prudentius Glosses (Boulogne 189) in H. D. Meritt Old Eng. Prudentius Glosses (1959) 100 Uerbis[que deflent] exequialibus : liclicum wordum.OE Rule St. Benet (Tiber.) (1888) iv. 21 Verba vana aut risui apta non loqui : idele word hlehtregamene oððe lilic [perhaps read liclic].However, the interpretation of the first gloss in this way relies on an assumed misreading of the lemma as ex equalibus ; the gloss has alternatively (and more convincingly) been interpreted as showing a different adjective līclic relating to the dead or to a funeral ( < lich n. + -ly suffix¹). The second gloss is evidently a scribal error in a passage full of errors and hence of questionable reliability.

A. adj.

†I. Similar, resembling, alike.

a. Having a resemblance, similar, like. Frequently with to. Also with noun phrase as complement. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective]

ylikeeOE

likeOE

anlikeOE

accordanta1325

of a (also one) mouldc1330

kindred1340

lichy1370

likelyc1384

alikea1393

ontinkela1400

evenly?c1400

similable?a1440

semble1449

of a sort1463

seemable1501

uniform1548

resembled1553

self-like1556

like-natured1566

resembling1573

kindlike1579

of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581

resemblant1581

marrow1585

similar1586

like-seeming1590

twin-like1599

connatural1601

similary1610

semblativea1616

otherlike1620

like-shaped1640

connate1641

homogeneous1641

consimilar1645

congenerous1646

resemblancing1652

congeniousa1656

congenerate1657

equaliform1660

congenial1669

similitive1678

symbolizant1685

synonymous1690

of akin1723

consimilary1736

like-sized1742

cogeneric1777

alike as a row of pins1785

congenerica1834

Siamese1833

congener1867

lak1881

sorty1885

homoeomorphic1902

homogenized1958

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. vi. 8 Licly [a1425 L.V. Nyle ȝe be maad lich to hem; L. nolite..adsimilari eis].

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 21132 Þei were likely eiþer to oþer.

a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4852 For he shulde setten all his wille To geten a likly thyng hym tille.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. xii[i]. 64 Mast liklie a waverand sweving or dreyme [L. simillima somno].

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 317/2 Lykly of countenance, semblable.

1596 E. Spenser Hymne in Honour of Beautie 198 For Love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent.

1606 T. Hutton 2nd Pt. Reasons for Refusall 234 It will appeare that our Deacons are likeliest to the times of the Apostles and Apostolicall men as hath beene shewed.

1657 P. Heylyn Ecclesia Vindicata i. i. 78 He set them forth in such likely colours, as if he rather did delineate the confusions of the present Age, then lament the miseries of his own.

b. Of an artistic representation: portraying the subject matter accurately; realistic. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [adjective] > qualities of

natural1581

well-observed1620

exact1645

well-treated1663

nature-painting1748

idealized1810

life-size1813

life-sized1834

lifelike1836

likely1840

realistic1943

1840 Lit. Gaz. 21 Nov. 753/1 The narratives are rather disjointed, but altogether they display a likely picture of the various people among whom the scenes are laid.

1891 Temple Bar Oct. 196 The laws of morality..are flung overboard without scruple by the man who can write fluent verse, paint a likely picture, or set down a harmonious score.

1906 E. Nesbit Railway Children viii. 161 That's a likely little brooch you've got on, Miss..; I don't know as ever I see a thing more like a buttercup without it was a buttercup.

II. Probable.

a. In predicative use with anticipatory it as subject and that-clause as complement: having a high chance of occurring; probable. Also in it is likely or as (it) is likely, used parenthetically.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be likely [phrase]

as (it) is likely1395

it is likely1395

it is odds (that, but)1589

(the) odds are1697

looks like?1746

Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 82 We supposen, as it is licli, that king Jon [etc.].

c1400 (c1382) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 266 (MED) It is not liklyche þat Crist..schulde carie a swerd in a scaberge.

c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 314 It is nat likly al thy lyf To stonden in hir grace, namoore shal I.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Physician's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 64 For þ^t she wolde fleen the compaignye Where likly was to treten of folye.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6639 It was likly he was made preste At fyue and twenty ȝere at neste.

a1500 (c1380) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 475 But it is licly to many men þat siluestre synnede in his hiyng.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUii And semeth more lykely, that he ascended vp certayn steppes..to the crosse.

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F3^v It is verie likelie, they doe so.

1653 T. Blake Vindiciæ Foederis Pref. sig. A3v The Minister..for his credit, and others of somewhat like stamp, it is likely, did invite Mr. Baxter to oppose me.

1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. vi. 292 King Edward, by force, as is likeliest, though it be not said how, reduc'd him to Peace.

1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 106 (note) It is the likelier also that Catullus did intend a Reflection upon Nonius.

1710 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 25 Apr. (1965) I. 29 'Tis very likely you'l never receive this.

1776 Ld. Stirling in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) I. 173 It was not likely any more British troops would be sent out.

1828 N. P. Willis Legendary II. 96 No one could tell whether it was likelier that thou wouldst die harlequin or hero.

1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 16 It will be more likely that I should some things extenuate.

1939 Street & Smith's Western Story Mag. 23 Sept. 97/1 It was not likely he would be noticed here.

1970 Rev. Politics 32 341 It is hardly likely that Great Britain would participate in any program which would reaggravate its most pressing economic problem.

2001 Oxoniensia 65 43 It can be assumed that whatever stone walls could be re-used—even if, as is likely, it was merely their footings—would have been re-used.

b. With the person or thing affected by the probability as subject of a copular verb followed by infinitive or (in earlier use) of and gerund: having a high probability of being or doing something; e.g. he (etc.) is likely to = ‘it is likely that he will’.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective]

likelya1400

seemlya1400

probable?a1425

allowablec1443

seeming?c1450

apt1528

topical1594

liking1611

suspicable1651

presumable1655

feasible1656

suspected1706

in the cards1764

on the cards1788

in the dice1844

liable1888

better-than-chance1964

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4878 I sai it noght for-qui þat yee Ne ern lickli lel men to be.

?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle l. 74 in E. P. Hammond Eng. Verse between Chaucer & Surrey (1927) 61/2 (MED) Ful seelde is seen þt yowthe takith heede Of perils þt been likly for to fall.

a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iii. l. 1270 Þow me..Hast holpen þere I lykly was to sterue.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1138 Þai were likly lost to be.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 38/1 Hee was not likelye to speake it of noughte.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccx Kyng Henry the.vi.thus readepted..hys croune & dignitie Royall,..lykely within short space to fall agayn.

a1591 H. Smith Six Serm. (1618) sig. H8 Thou art much weaker then a Prophet,..and the likelyer to haue a most grieuous fall.

1622 J. Donne Serm. XV. Verse XX. Chap. Iudges 24 Men exercised in Judgement, are likeliest to thinke of the last Iudgement.

1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler vii. 154 A hole where a Pike is, or is likely to lye.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 515. ⁋2 I am glad to find you are likely to be disposed of in marriage so much to your approbation.

1747 S. Fielding Familiar Lett. 90 Putting themselves to a very unnecessary Trouble to prevent that Pain which seemed not likely of befalling them.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 144 Lambert seemed likely to be the first of these rulers.

1896 Law Times 100 466/2 The coronet..did not so closely resemble a Royal Crown as to be likely to be taken for it.

1912 F. P. Elliott Gift of Abou Hassan xiii. 159 The lady gasped and, indeed, seemed likely to swoon.

1955 Amer. Motorcycling June 33/2 The Ghost Mountains enshrouded in moonlight are a sight that a person is not likely to forget.

1983 J. Fuller Flying to Nowhere xviii. 75 The Saint was weak with thirst and likely to die.

2008 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 28/1 People's actions are more likely to be guided by convention—and the fear of looking foolish—than by pure reason.

(a) Of an account, an argument, evidence, an explanation, etc.: having an appearance of truth or fact, giving grounds for acceptance; plausible.

ΚΠ

1426 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 6 I herde..no maner lykly ne credible euidence.

a1595 R. Southwell Humble Suppl. (1953) 31/29–33 9 Soe naked of proofes, or any likely Coniectures.

1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. D It is a likely report, that they Father on him.

1649 J. Milton Tenure of Kings 22 No likelier cause can be alleg'd.

1710 Hist. Wks. Learned Nov. 681 If we find that the Scriptures usually Name two or more of these Nations together, it is a likely Argument that they were..neighbouring one to the other.

1759 A. Brice Grand Gazetteer 232/2 The most likely Reason for all this Cautiousness seems rather to prevent the Laity's prying too far into the vast Wealth they heap up.

1814 T. Chalmers Evid. Christian Revel. iii. 81 The apparent contradictions admit of a likely..reconciliation.

1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xvii. 275 The story told by Ambiorix was likely in itself.

1932 H. Garland My Friendly Contemporaries i. 7 Whenever my diary indicates a sudden journey to a distant city, a lecture engagement is the likely explanation.

1979 W. B. Ober Boswell's Clap & Other Ess. i. 25 The most likely explanation is..that secondary infection supervened, and that the ‘sore’ was some form of local pyogenic abscess.

2012 Guardian 3 Mar. (Money section) 3/4 The more likely cause was that oil had accumulated in the intake pipes.

(b) ironic. Used to express scepticism or disbelief in response to a statement regarded as improbable, lacking credibility, or untrue. Frequently in interjections or exclamations, as a likely story, a likely excuse, etc.

ΚΠ

1565 T. Stapleton Disc. Doctrine Protestants in tr. F. Staphylus Apol. f. 205 Againe is eating your bread and drinking your wine, a remembraunce of Christ his deathe and passion? A likely matter truly. You are wonte to crie on scripture, and allow no doctrine withoute it.

1627 J. Rogers Doctr. Faith 143 A likely matter, that from such low abasement I should be advanced to such honour, from hell to heaven.

1675 E. Stillingfleet Answer Mr. Cressy's Epist. iv. 270 A very likely story for so grave a Saint! I do not quarrel with it on the account of the custom of selling English slaves, but for the..silliness of it.

1705 S. Centlivre Gamester 43 Hec. He'll lay himself at your Feet, with full resolution never to touch Box or Dice more. Ang. A likely matter, truly.

1748 T. Smolett Roderick Random I. xxx. 274 A very likely story! (cried Mackshane) what occasion was there for using Greek characters, if you were not afraid of discovering what you had wrote?

1844 Hood's Mag. 2 610 ‘A likely story!’ mumbled Mr. Hix, in a tone between publishing and smothering the remark.

1858 Harper's Mag. Oct. 660/2 How did he bring his letters, then, let alone stopping to have them written. That's a likely story to begin with.

1905 J. B. Naylor Kentuckian viii. 188 ‘Yes, that's a likely tale!’ ‘Nevertheless, it's true,’ Ruth stoutly maintained.

1942 E. Welty Robber Bridegroom ii. 53 ‘I dropped my skirt to the ground and all the herbs fell out, and that is why I did not bring them home.’ ‘A likely excuse!’ said Salome.

1977 H. O'Hagan Woman who got on at Jasper Station 30 Red Pass was two days' journey distant. When he arrived, he would have a likely tale to tell the boys in the beer parlour.

2007 Guardian (Nexis) 16 Aug. 9 He claims that it is all in the interests of research and he is actually working on something very deep about social capital. A likely story.

d. Of an event, procedure, state of affairs, etc.: that looks as if it would happen, be realized, or prove to be what is alleged or suggested; probable.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [adjective] > liable to happen

probable?a1425

likely1437

casualc1440

incident1488

incidental to1616

liable1619

1437 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1437 §26. m. 5 To the grettest likly myschief þat may falle to þe said roialme.

a1591 H. Smith Six Serm. (1618) sig. H4^v Hee would rather content himselfe with his present ease, then commit himselfe to so likely miserie.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vi. 10 Haue you heard of no likely warres towards.

1693 J. Ray Three Physico-theol. Disc. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 85 Filtration (which seems to be the most likely Means of raising the water).

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 137 Whether the Child infected the Nurse-Mother, or the Mother the Child was not certain, but the last the most likely.

1732 T. Fuller Gnomologia 186 That is as likely as to see an Hog fly.

1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 291 The green spots..would be the likely camping-ground of wayfarers.

1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 780 A likely source of infection.

1937 Jrnl. Pediatrics 11 790 She had grown five inches..and her bone age had increased to nine years so that no renal osteodystrophy was likely.

1986 New Statesman 26 Sept. 7/1 A hung parliament, according to the bookmakers, is the most likely outcome of the next election.

2006 Esquire Mar. 88 I spent the first few weeks trying to come up with a list of likely scenarios for us to pursue.

†3. had (also was, were) likely: (followed by infinitive) came near to doing or being something. Cf. like adj. 11. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)] > to do

semblea1400

to make semblant1470

had (also was, were) likely?1503

had like to1548

?1503 J. Flamank in J. Gairdner Lett. Reigns of Richard III & Henry VII (1861) I. 235 Els I hade lykly to be putt to a grett plonge for my trothe.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. xxxi. f. xiii The Frenschmen or Gallis..came into y^e Capitoill & were lykely to haue wonne it.

1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio Compl. Hist. Warrs Flanders ii. v. 274 A very hot skirmish had likely to have been; had not the King..made his men retreat.

1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 129 The Deanery of Peterborough..which..he had likely to have lost upon information given to the Queen that it was ruinous.

1789 Lady's Mag. Aug. 402/1 A tumble there I believe had likely to have happened lately, had not you know who interposed.

1824 J. McHenry O'Halloran I. ii. 29 Our hero..took a walk.., in order once more to view the spot that had likely to have been so fatal to him.

1864 R. H. F. Rippon Victor xii. 68 Her pride had likely to have made such a breach between Edwin and herself as might have eternally separated them.

III. Appropriate, promising, capable, or having the appearance of being so.

4. Appropriate, seemly, befitting. Now archaic and rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective]

goodOE

proper?c1225

felea1250

featc1325

seeming1338

rightful1340

thriftyc1386

sittingc1390

duea1393

truea1398

goodly1398

convenienta1400

wella1400

seemc1400

likelyc1425

fitc1440

tallc1440

befalling1542

fittinga1616

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 437 (MED) Kepe ȝow..þer for to abide Where most is likly oure party to sustene.

1588 W. Allen Admon. to Nobility & People p. lv The honorablest quarrell, the likeliest and most commendable cause.., that possibly can be.

a1674 J. Milton Plan of Paradise Lost in Compl. Wks. (1738) I. p. xliv After likely Discourses [Lot] præpares for thire entertainment.

1742 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) IV. 587 The Vessel had been cleansed and Aired in the likeliest Manner.

1859 H. Keddie Nut-brown Maids xiii. 299 ‘But surely he be taking steps to..gain the means of maintaining you in a more likely fashion,’ persisted Mother Stacie.

1870 M. Twain in Suppl. Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) 5 Nov. 181/1 A verse from some likely hymn or other.

1907 H. Sutcliffe Toward Dawn xxi. 337 Wilt stay outside i' th' wind, or wilt be likelier-spoken to folk I choose to ask indoors?

2013 M. Ratcliffe Tales of Golmeira xx. 103 I'll rustle up some likely clothes for the girl and be back within the hour.

a. Showing promise of success, achievement, or excellence; promising. Chiefly with reference to people (esp. young people) or animals. Now somewhat rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective]

fairc1325

likely1548

sperable1565

hoped1581

propitious1581

promising1594

hopeful1599

auspiciousa1616

flattering1633

promissory1732

sperate1808

likely-looking1827

favourable1828

promiseful1855

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 2833 (MED) Þis child, likly and riȝt faire..was born to ben eyre After Pirrus.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxi^v The kyng had..marked, bothe his wit and his likely towardnes.

c1557 Enterlude of Youth (new ed.) sig. Bii By likelyhod thou shulde do well ynowe Thou art a lykely felowe.

1595 H. Roberts Lancaster his Allarums sig. B.2 Symon Boreman sonne of M. Boreman Owner of the Salomon, a toward and likely youth.

1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 41 The likeliest and ablest springals are chosen.

1686 J. Warr tr. Quintilian Declamations iii. 67 His villany could proceed no further, when he had debauched so likely and hopeful a Youth.

1728 Street-robberies, Consider'd 22 What a Shame it is said he, that such a likely young Man as you are, should be brought up in such an ignorant Manner.

1793 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1891) XII. 381 I am very sorry to hear that so likely a young fellow..should addict himself to such courses.

1871 Sat. Rev. 22 Apr. 510/2 Likely and promising pines..introduced from California within the last half-century.

1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xviii. 226 Chinamen go to Mongolia in spring, buy up likely animals.

1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs i. 4 A man applied at the Land Office for a likely piece of country which he had seen on his travels.

1987 Birmingham Post 25 Aug. 11 (caption) The department has ten jobs on offer to likely boys and girls leaving school this year.

2015 S. P. Davis Outlaw takes Bride xxii. 249 Let's stop at the livery and see if Mr. Benner's got any likely horses for you.

b. Capable, vigorous, strong, or having the appearance of being so.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having the appearance of capability

likely1454

1454 in Paston Lett. (1904) II. 297 The Duke of York..wole come with his houshold meynee, clenly beseen and likly men.

1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. c.viii The goodly number of y^e likely men & redy horses.

c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 215 Thay appered to be licklie men, and well appointed for the war.

1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus Famous Hyst. i. f. 31^v Choyse should be made of stronge and likelie men for the gard and preseruation of his body.

c1650 (a1500) Eger & Grime (Percy) (1933) 91 Likelier armour than I had Was no Christian man in clade.

1687 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 235 I arrived at Dunstable with a Company of very good, likely, effective men.

1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xiii. 335 Two hundred very likely Soldiers well arm'd, and disciplin'd.

1766 J. Bartram Let. 9 Apr. (1992) 664 I have sent thee six likely young negroes amongst which is two young breeding wenches.

1863 in E. Dicey Six Months Federal States I. 254 (advt.) He [sc. a fugitive slave] is..stout and well built; very likely.

1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island x. 79 The boatswain, Job Anderson, was the likeliest man aboard, and, though he kept his old title, he served in a way as mate.

1907 J. M. Synge Playboy of Western World iii. 85 Ten thousand blessings upon all that's here, for you've turned me a likely gaffer in the end of all.

1943 Irish Hist. Stud. 3 278 A kind of press gang..paraded the back-streets of Dublin and spirited away at convenient moments all likely labourers.

2008 L. Todd Carolina Clay i. 18 Harvey might have found him to be a likely worker with a strong back equal to the many tasks of the pottery.

6. Apparently suitable or qualified for a purpose or activity; apparently able or fitted to do or be something. Frequently with for or infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > apparently suitable

likelyc1430

like1545

c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1174 Me thynkith that he is so wel I-wrought And likli for to ben a man.

c1430 (c1393) G. Chaucer Scogan (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 32 Þat ben so likly folk in loue to spede.

c1480 (a1400) St. John Baptist l. 837 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 247 A basare..stark & likly als but let to strik in twa his als.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 364 Haile he [sc. Wallace] was, likly to gang and ryd.

a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2107 In euery wise he was a likely knyght for that Office.

1544 Act 35 Henry VIII c. 17 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 977 Standilles or storers likely to prove and to be Tymber trees.

1591 H. Smith Affinitie of Faithfull sig. A3^v Deuising the likeliest policie to frustrate & disgrace but one of his Sermons.

1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. ii. §6. 405 The best and likeliest meanes of their common safetie.

1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler ii. 45 We are not yet come to a likely place.

1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 283. ¶19 I regard Trade..as the most natural and likely Method of making a Man's Fortune.

1819 A. Rees Cycl. XIV. at File The most likely machine for file-cutting.

1883 ‘A Conservative-Radical’ Future Capital Brit. Empire 12 Where would be the most likely spot for the Confederated Parliament of the British Empire to meet?

1931 Motor Boating Jan. 42/2 I selected a likely spot for mooring.

1966 Life 7 Jan. 49 (caption) You can't pick a likelier spot for a picnic than a bluff above a quiet sea at Byblos.

2005 L. Leblanc Pretty in Punk i. 25 I would hang out in locales frequented by punks, on the lookout for likely subjects.

†7. Of attractive appearance; good-looking, pretty, handsome. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons

faireOE

seemlya1225

featous1340

jolly?a1366

tretis?a1366

comelya1375

covenablea1375

well-beseenc1374

favourablea1398

farrandc1400

personable?1435

well-favoureda1438

covenantc1440

likelyc1450

trety?c1450

tret1488

decore?a1513

jimp?a1513

wally?a1513

smotter?1520

snout-fair1530

well-looking1613

comely-looking1648

personal1658

comely-looked1664

winsome1677

tidy1714

good-looking1715

well to be seen1809

c1450 J. Capgrave Solace of Pilgrims (Bodl. 423) (1911) 7 (MED) Eke he chase owt of þe puple of þe moust strenghest & likly men, and ech of hem called was miles, þat is to sey in owr langage, a knyth.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 63 Thys damesell than behelde thys poure knyght and saw he was a lyckly man.

a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) l. 1911 (MED) Full lykkely lordys she myghte haue had, That off her wold be full glad.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xv. sig. K2^v These young companions make themselues beleeue they love at the first liking of a likely beautie.

1664 T. Killigrew Princesse i. ii, in Comedies & Trag. 8 Lieutenant, is she likely? is it a handsome Wench?

a1726 J. Vanbrugh Journey to London (1728) iv. i. 48 You lookt a good likely Woman last Night.

1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. lxi. 288 She is very likely and genteel.

1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross I. 69 You are white, and she is brown; but you are both likely.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xii. 190 You'll soon get another husband,—such a likely gal as you.

a1917 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick (1927) 14 Thon young doctor's a rale leikely-leike fallih.

B. adv.

1. Probably, in all probability. Frequently in most (also very) likely.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb]

welleOE

lightly1395

likely1395

likinglyc1395

by (also of) likeliheadc1405

by (also of) likelinessc1405

by all (also most) likelihood1427

provably1460

of (all) likelihood1491

belike?1531

like1548

belikelya1551

in (all) likelihood1570

probably1600

by (also in) probabilitya1602

in (also by) all probability1617

presumably1658

prob.1730

nigh hand1848

predictably1914

prolly1922

odds-on1976

Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 93 (MED) He myghte..licli waste lesse the godis of the chirche.

?c1425 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Royal 17 D.vi) (1860) 15 And likly that thow deemest for folie Is gretter wisdome than thow canst espie.

c1475 (?c1400) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 434 (MED) Likliche hem wantiþ to be þe leeste membre þat Crist haþ ordeyned to be of his Chirche.

a1500 (?1382) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 170 (MED) If a man do þis almes to him þat lyveþ yvyl..it is al on to norische hym wityngly or lickly.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 5 He were seker..of hym euer And most likly be loste & his los keppit.

1579 in R. Travers Expos. CXI. Psalme Ep. Ded. sig. *ij^v His life..by quietnes in his Colledge, should likely haue bene prolonged.

1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 104 When of one house there be three or fower brethren, likely one or two of them giue themselues to trafique and merchandize.

1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Deut. xxxiv. 8) 159 The children of Israel..were ready to wish, (likely) as the Romanes did of Augustus, that either he had never been born, or never dyed.

1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act I. iii. 19 The young Man who is to succeed him, may likely spend his Fortune.

1771 J. Murray Serm. to Doctors in Divinity iv. 242 A layman..will very likely have very different cases of conscience from a church dignitary.

1812 P. Dealtry Let. 17 Dec. in S. Parr Wks. (1828) VIII. 363 I shall most likely say a good deal on the subject when we meet.

1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xviii. 211 Ask him where he is going..and likely he will tell you he is going to some shrine to worship.

1931 E. O'Neill Mourning becomes Electra i. i. 37 You've likely heard gossip.

1971 Publishers' Weekly 22 Nov. 14/1 Within a few years the microfiche likely will move from the library into the study and home.

2009 C. Dickason King's Daughter (2010) xliv. 264 I fear you'll most likely learn more here than you wish.

†2. In a suitable or appropriate manner, suitably, appropriately, fitly; (also) reasonably. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb]

ylikeeOE

alsoOE

with likec1175

swilk12..

in (also on and without preposition) like mannerc1330

in semblable case(s, in case(s semblable1390

item1398

in likec1400

semblably1420

in like wise1422

likelya1425

likewisec1443

alikewisec1450

ylikedealc1450

in like casea1459

ylikewise1460

otherwaysc1485

semblable1490

sic-like1513

like1529

seemably1535

likeways1551

agreeably1561

fellowlikea1569

alliably1593

likewisely1605

in specie1632

similarly1657

resemblingly1661

kindredly1765

evenwise1866

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > fitly or reasonably

gladlyc1386

likelya1425

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 335 Þus in þes fyve figuris many men licly suppose, þat [etc.].

c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 30 (MED) Formyng in me þe maner of my lyf Lykly vnto þe heuenly gouernaunce.

c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1442 (MED) So was that Lord receuyd..Lykly to hys plesure.

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 48 The knowledge of heat that we have from the feeling of it, is far more off from the right knowledge of it, or such as may likeliest become God, than [etc.].

†3. In a like or similar manner; similarly. Also: with a strong resemblance or high degree of similarity. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > painting according to subject > [adverb] > close resemblance in portrait

likely?a1600

c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 3368 The faderes redemyd fro helle ioyned he til aungels likely.

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum at Sc. Sc. and Sk. bene very likely vsed.

?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) iii. xi. sig. Riv^v Then are those vessels likely proportionall.

?a1600 in Montgomerie's Poems (1887) 274 Not abill, in tabill, With colours competent, So quiklie or liklie A form to represent.

1619 Helpe to Discourse sig. L One asked a prostitute Ladie of Florence, how her children so likely resembled her husband, shee so vsually commersing with others.

1699 A. Seller Whole Duty of Christian 98 Actuate (O Spirit of Life) this sluggish Soul, that the last part of my Race may be run with more Vigour, likelier to the Heavenly Imployment, than all the rest have been.

C. n.

1. A thing judged likely to be true, to exist, or to happen. Now usually with the: that which is probable (as opposed to with that which is unlikely or implausible); probable things collectively.

ΚΠ

1577 Merie Prognost. sig. Aiii A Prognostication... Hereafter foloweth the certaintie, As well of euery season this yeare, As all other likelies that be like to appeare.

1706 Rehearsal 3 July in C. Leslie View of Times (1708) I. This is a Pretty Turn... He wou'd go from Fact to Likelies! And then he has Scope to..Drop the Question... This is a very Manifest Likely!

1861 Scotsman 30 Apr. 2/2 They have already fixed the boundaries of the likely and the preposterous in their own minds.

1906 J. Bennett Treasure Peyer Gaillard xxiv. 203 A man of legal acumen, with a mind well-trained to discriminate between the true and the false, the likely and the unlikely.

1987 H. Titvo Animal Estate Introd. 12 Its [sc. the book's] often implausible content..underscored the difficulty of discriminating in principle between the likely and the impossible in the absence of a systematic understanding of nature.

2003 L. Brooks Story Physics xi. 97 Social values, political power..[etc.],..these define the possible and impossible, the likely and the unlikely.

2. Often with the. A person who or thing which is likely to do or achieve something (specified or implied); one who or that which is likely to be chosen from among several alternatives. Chiefly in plural.

ΚΠ

1840 Wesleyan-Methodist Mag. June 520/2 He made every [fundraising] effort; and he went to the likely and the unlikely, missing nobody.

1857 ‘A Cumbrian’ Mural Controv. (ed. 2) Introd. 6 See how the race goes with the ‘likelies’ then.

1908 Delta of Sigma Nu Nov. 366 With an unusually large student enrollment and a fair assortment of ‘likelies’, Gamma Gamma..retired with a handsome selection.

1963 Tucson (Arizona) Daily Citizen 31 Dec. 17/1 Jack Jackson..is one of the leading likelies for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

2006 D. Ruderman Ultimate College Acceptance Syst. xvii. 250 You applied to six to twelve schools, making sure they were balanced between reachies, likelies, and safeties.

2009 Irish Times 31 Dec. (Ticket section) 24 (header) Women musicians dominate list of 2010 likelies.

Phrases

P1. †by likely: = sense B. 1. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) x. lxxxviii. sig. kiiij^v I wote wel I shold haue had hard handelynge of hym, and by lykely I muste nedes haue had the werse.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 48^v By likely to hit the pricke alwayes, is vnpossible.

P2. colloquial. (as) likely as not: expressing that something is very likely to occur or be the case; likely, probably; = (as) like as not at like adj., adv., conj., and prep. Phrases 5b.

ΚΠ

1656 J. Lewis Ευαγγελιογραϕα 32 Finding that Families and whole housholds were baptised, it is as likely as not, that Infants might be amongst them.

1691 J. Wilson Belphegor v. iii. 62 Gri. See if you know 'em; perhaps, they may have past your hand. Pic. As likely, as not.

1703 P. Motteux et al. tr. M. de Cervantes Hist. Don Quixote IV. lxxi. 710 I am very much mistaken if I had not a Glimpse of this very name of Don Alvaro Tarfe... As likely as not, quoth Sancho.

1864 G. Meredith Emilia in Eng. III. xix. 269 When I unpin Miss Laura at night, I'm as likely as not to get a silk dress that ain't been worn more than half-a-dozen times.

1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xxx. 264 He's always up to tricks, and if you wallop him, likely as not, next night, he'll take and spoil your best trick, out of revenge.

1917 H. H. Richardson Fortunes Richard Mahony I. i. 5 No matter how great the heat by day, the night would as likely as not be nipping cold.

1988 R. Turnbull Fisher's World: Canada 19 Likely as not one will find Portuguese fishermen playing soccer on the harbor apron.

2008 Economist 20 Dec. 133/3 It is like trying to fix a car without properly understanding how it works: not impossible, but as likely as not to result in a breakdown or a crash.

P3. colloquial. not likely and variants: used to express emphatic disagreement or refusal. Also with expletive inserted (cf. not Pygmalion likely at Pygmalion adv.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [phrase]

not if I can help it1682

I'll be far (enough) if1752

I'll be shot (occasionally shortened to shot!) if1761

to have none of it1849

not if you paid me1853

not likely1878

that's your problem1951

1878 Boys of Eng. 12 Apr. 324/2 ‘Hush! never breathe a word about me in this affair, or you may do me an injury, and I know you don't want to do that.’ ‘Not likely, old boy.’

1893 G. B. Shaw Widowers' Houses ii. iv. 47 Catch him going down to collect his own rents! Not likely!

1914 G. B. Shaw Pygmalion (1916) iii. 153 Walk! Not bloody likely... I am going in a taxi.

1922 C. E. Montague Disenchantment x. 139 The German sentries said, ‘Go back, or we shall have to shoot.’ The Englishmen said ‘Not likely!’ advanced to the German wire, and asked again for an officer.

1976 Transatlantic Rev. May 13 ‘Not bleeding likely,’ Seth says, but the others waver and retract.

2011 P. Schoenewaldt When We were Strangers 8 ‘Hush,’ Zia Carmela scolded. ‘The Lord will punish you.’ ‘Not likely, old woman. He doesn't even know we're here.’

Compounds

C1. Compounds of the adverb.

† likely-looked adj. Obsolete rare of pleasing appearance; attractive; = likely-looking adj. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]

faireOE

comelyOE

winlyOE

goodlyOE

hendya1250

hendc1275

quaintc1300

seemlyc1305

tidya1325

avenant1340

honestc1384

sightya1387

properc1390

well beseena1393

queema1400

speciousa1400

featousc1400

parisantc1400

rekenc1400

well-favoureda1438

wellc1450

spectable?a1475

delicatec1480

jollya1500

bonny?a1513

snog1513

viewlyc1536

goodlikec1550

sightly1555

sightful1565

beholdinga1586

eyesome?1587

decent1600

vage1604

prospicuous1605

eyely1614

fashionable1630

well-looking1638

softa1643

fineish1647

well-looked1660

of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700

likely-looked1709

sonsy1720

smiling1725

aspectable1731

smirkya1758

likely-looking1771

respectable1776

magnificent-looking1790

producible1792

presentable1800

good-looking1804

nice-looking1807

bonnyish1855

spick1882

eyeable1887

aegyo2007

1709 Brit. Apollo 13–15 Apr. He must be a likely-look'd Fellow.

C2. Compounds of the adjective.

likely lad n. (a) a boy or young man viewed as capable or potentially successful, a promising youth; cf. sense A. 5; (b) British a working-class young man; a young man with characteristics stereotypically associated with the working class.In later use influenced by the title of The Likely Lads, a British sitcom about two working class men from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, first broadcast in 1964.

ΚΠ

1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 147 They are likely Lads, they seem to chuse heartily their Fathers Ways.

1778 F. G. Waldron Maid of Kent iii. 54 Here he comes, and a likely lad he is as any in the parish.

1861 Living Age 6 July 356/1 Nevertheless, the lad is a likely lad.

1956 N.Y. Times 17 Nov. 29/5 A representative of an unidentified company offered to pay high school and college expenses for a likely lad.

1987 Times 29 Aug. 20/1 There is a type of likely lad, a cocky chat up artist on the make if not on the fiddle, who is always accused of acting except when in his professional capacity as a member of Equity.

1998 B. Elton Blast from Past (1999) xliii. 274 The Republicans were on the lookout for likely lads who might help to break their hold on power.

2007 S. Dunne Reaper (2009) ix. 149 A likely lad at the front of the queue bawled out, ‘Encore!’ to gales of laughter and derisive hoots.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	likely
释义	likelyadj.adv.n. Brit. /ˈlʌɪkli/, U.S. /ˈlaɪkli/ Forms: Middle English lekely, Middle English lickelie, Middle English lickli, Middle English licli, Middle English licly, Middle English liclye, Middle English lijkli, Middle English lijkly, Middle English likkely, Middle English likliche, Middle English liklyche, Middle English lyckely, Middle English lycly, Middle English lykkely, Middle English lykli, Middle English–1500s lyckly, Middle English–1500s lykly, Middle English–1600s likeli, Middle English–1600s likli, Middle English–1600s lykely, Middle English (1800s English regional (northern)) lickly, Middle English–1700s (1800s English regional (northern)) likly, Middle English– likely, 1500s likelye, 1500s–1600s likelie, 1800s lahklee (English regional (Yorkshire)), 1800s likle (English regional (northern)), 1800s loikely (English regional (Leicestershire)); Scottish pre-1700 leiklie, pre-1700 lickely, pre-1700 licklie, pre-1700 liclie, pre-1700 likelie, pre-1700 likle, pre-1700 liklie, pre-1700 liklye, pre-1700 lycklie, pre-1700 lyckly, pre-1700 lykelie, pre-1700 lykely, pre-1700 lyklie, pre-1700 lykly, pre-1700 1700s– likely, pre-1700 1700s– likly, pre-1700 1800s lickly, 1800s–1900s lekly, 1800s– laekly (Shetland), 1900s leikely. Origin: Of multiple origins. Apparently partly a borrowing from early Scandinavian. Apparently partly a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: English gelīclic. Etymology: Apparently partly (i) < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic líkligr probable, promising, Old Swedish likliker reasonable (Swedish liklig similar, probable, appropriate (now rare)), Danish ligelig similar, reasonable, even; originally aphetic < a form reflected by Old Icelandic glíkligr probable, fit, promising; < the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic glíkr ylike adj. + the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic -ligr -ly suffix¹), and probably partly (ii) (in senses A. 4 and A. 6) aphetic < an otherwise unattested reflex (see note) of Old English gelīclic fitting, proper ( < ylike adj. + -ly suffix¹). Compare also Middle Low German gelīklik , līklik fair, appropriate. With use as adverb compare Old Icelandic glíkliga , líkliga favourably, probably, Old Swedish liklika similarly (Swedish †likliga ). Compare also Old English gelīclīce equally ( < ylike adj. + -ly suffix²) and Middle Low German gelīkliken , līkliken in the same manner, appropriately. In sense A. 7 perhaps influenced by like v.¹The marked difference in sense between the forms in West Germanic and North Germanic suggests that they reflect independent formations from the same elements. It has sometimes been suggested that the posited unprefixed Old English adjective līclic fitting, apt, is in fact attested in the following two glosses:OE Prudentius Glosses* (Boulogne 189) in H. D. Meritt Old Eng. Prudentius Glosses (1959) 100 Uerbis[que deflent] exequialibus : liclicum wordum.OE Rule St. Benet (Tiber.) (1888) iv. 21 Verba vana aut risui apta non loqui : idele word hlehtregamene oððe lilic [perhaps read liclic].However, the interpretation of the first gloss in this way relies on an assumed misreading of the lemma as ex equalibus ; the gloss has alternatively (and more convincingly) been interpreted as showing a different adjective līclic relating to the dead or to a funeral ( < lich n. + -ly suffix¹). The second gloss is evidently a scribal error in a passage full of errors and hence of questionable reliability. A. adj. †I. Similar, resembling, alike. 1. a. Having a resemblance, similar, like. Frequently with to. Also with noun phrase as complement. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective] ylikeeOE likeOE anlikeOE accordanta1325 of a (also one) mouldc1330 kindred1340 lichy1370 likelyc1384 alikea1393 ontinkela1400 evenly?c1400 similable?a1440 semble1449 of a sort1463 seemable1501 uniform1548 resembled1553 self-like1556 like-natured1566 resembling1573 kindlike1579 of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581 resemblant1581 marrow1585 similar1586 like-seeming1590 twin-like1599 connatural1601 similary1610 semblativea1616 otherlike1620 like-shaped1640 connate1641 homogeneous1641 consimilar1645 congenerous1646 resemblancing1652 congeniousa1656 congenerate1657 equaliform1660 congenial1669 similitive1678 symbolizant1685 synonymous1690 of akin1723 consimilary1736 like-sized1742 cogeneric1777 alike as a row of pins1785 congenerica1834 Siamese1833 congener1867 lak1881 sorty1885 homoeomorphic1902 homogenized1958 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. vi. 8 Licly [a1425 L.V. Nyle ȝe be maad lich to hem; L. nolite..adsimilari eis]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 21132 Þei were likely eiþer to oþer. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4852 For he shulde setten all his wille To geten a likly thyng hym tille. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. xii[i]. 64 Mast liklie a waverand sweving or dreyme [L. simillima somno]. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 317/2 Lykly of countenance, semblable. 1596 E. Spenser Hymne in Honour of Beautie 198 For Love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent. 1606 T. Hutton 2nd Pt. Reasons for Refusall 234 It will appeare that our Deacons are likeliest to the times of the Apostles and Apostolicall men as hath beene shewed. 1657 P. Heylyn Ecclesia Vindicata i. i. 78 He set them forth in such likely colours, as if he rather did delineate the confusions of the present Age, then lament the miseries of his own. b. Of an artistic representation: portraying the subject matter accurately; realistic. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [adjective] > qualities of natural1581 well-observed1620 exact1645 well-treated1663 nature-painting1748 idealized1810 life-size1813 life-sized1834 lifelike1836 likely1840 realistic1943 1840 Lit. Gaz. 21 Nov. 753/1 The narratives are rather disjointed, but altogether they display a likely picture of the various people among whom the scenes are laid. 1891 Temple Bar Oct. 196 The laws of morality..are flung overboard without scruple by the man who can write fluent verse, paint a likely picture, or set down a harmonious score. 1906 E. Nesbit Railway Children viii. 161 That's a likely little brooch you've got on, Miss..; I don't know as ever I see a thing more like a buttercup without it was a buttercup. II. Probable. 2. a. In predicative use with anticipatory it as subject and that-clause as complement: having a high chance of occurring; probable. Also in it is likely or as (it) is likely, used parenthetically. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be likely [phrase] as (it) is likely1395 it is likely1395 it is odds (that, but)1589 (the) odds are1697 looks like?1746 Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 82 We supposen, as it is licli, that king Jon [etc.]. c1400 (c1382) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 266 (MED) It is not liklyche þat Crist..schulde carie a swerd in a scaberge. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 314 It is nat likly al thy lyf To stonden in hir grace, namoore shal I. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Physician's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 64 For þ^t she wolde fleen the compaignye Where likly was to treten of folye. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6639 It was likly he was made preste At fyue and twenty ȝere at neste. a1500 (c1380) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 475 But it is licly to many men þat siluestre synnede in his hiyng. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUii And semeth more lykely, that he ascended vp certayn steppes..to the crosse. 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F3^v It is verie likelie, they doe so. 1653 T. Blake Vindiciæ Foederis Pref. sig. A3v The Minister..for his credit, and others of somewhat like stamp, it is likely, did invite Mr. Baxter to oppose me. 1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. vi. 292 King Edward, by force, as is likeliest, though it be not said how, reduc'd him to Peace. 1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 106 (note) It is the likelier also that Catullus did intend a Reflection upon Nonius. 1710 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 25 Apr. (1965) I. 29 'Tis very likely you'l never receive this. 1776 Ld. Stirling in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) I. 173 It was not likely any more British troops would be sent out. 1828 N. P. Willis Legendary II. 96 No one could tell whether it was likelier that thou wouldst die harlequin or hero. 1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 16 It will be more likely that I should some things extenuate. 1939 Street & Smith's Western Story Mag. 23 Sept. 97/1 It was not likely he would be noticed here. 1970 Rev. Politics 32 341 It is hardly likely that Great Britain would participate in any program which would reaggravate its most pressing economic problem. 2001 Oxoniensia 65 43 It can be assumed that whatever stone walls could be re-used—even if, as is likely, it was merely their footings—would have been re-used. b. With the person or thing affected by the probability as subject of a copular verb followed by infinitive or (in earlier use) of and gerund: having a high probability of being or doing something; e.g. he (etc.) is likely to = ‘it is likely that he will’. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective] likelya1400 seemlya1400 probable?a1425 allowablec1443 seeming?c1450 apt1528 topical1594 liking1611 suspicable1651 presumable1655 feasible1656 suspected1706 in the cards1764 on the cards1788 in the dice1844 liable1888 better-than-chance1964 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4878 I sai it noght for-qui þat yee Ne ern lickli lel men to be. ?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle l. 74 in E. P. Hammond Eng. Verse between Chaucer & Surrey (1927) 61/2 (MED) Ful seelde is seen þt yowthe takith heede Of perils þt been likly for to fall. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iii. l. 1270 Þow me..Hast holpen þere I lykly was to sterue. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1138 Þai were likly lost to be. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 38/1 Hee was not likelye to speake it of noughte. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccx Kyng Henry the.vi.thus readepted..hys croune & dignitie Royall,..lykely within short space to fall agayn. a1591 H. Smith Six Serm. (1618) sig. H8 Thou art much weaker then a Prophet,..and the likelyer to haue a most grieuous fall. 1622 J. Donne Serm. XV. Verse XX. Chap. Iudges 24 Men exercised in Judgement, are likeliest to thinke of the last Iudgement. 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler vii. 154 A hole where a Pike is, or is likely to lye. View more context for this quotation 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 515. ⁋2 I am glad to find you are likely to be disposed of in marriage so much to your approbation. 1747 S. Fielding Familiar Lett. 90 Putting themselves to a very unnecessary Trouble to prevent that Pain which seemed not likely of befalling them. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 144 Lambert seemed likely to be the first of these rulers. 1896 Law Times 100 466/2 The coronet..did not so closely resemble a Royal Crown as to be likely to be taken for it. 1912 F. P. Elliott Gift of Abou Hassan xiii. 159 The lady gasped and, indeed, seemed likely to swoon. 1955 Amer. Motorcycling June 33/2 The Ghost Mountains enshrouded in moonlight are a sight that a person is not likely to forget. 1983 J. Fuller Flying to Nowhere xviii. 75 The Saint was weak with thirst and likely to die. 2008 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 28/1 People's actions are more likely to be guided by convention—and the fear of looking foolish—than by pure reason. c. (a) Of an account, an argument, evidence, an explanation, etc.: having an appearance of truth or fact, giving grounds for acceptance; plausible. ΚΠ 1426 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 6 I herde..no maner lykly ne credible euidence. a1595 R. Southwell Humble Suppl. (1953) 31/29–33 9 Soe naked of proofes, or any likely Coniectures. 1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. D It is a likely report, that they Father on him. 1649 J. Milton Tenure of Kings 22 No likelier cause can be alleg'd. 1710 Hist. Wks. Learned Nov. 681 If we find that the Scriptures usually Name two or more of these Nations together, it is a likely Argument that they were..neighbouring one to the other. 1759 A. Brice Grand Gazetteer 232/2 The most likely Reason for all this Cautiousness seems rather to prevent the Laity's prying too far into the vast Wealth they heap up. 1814 T. Chalmers Evid. Christian Revel. iii. 81 The apparent contradictions admit of a likely..reconciliation. 1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xvii. 275 The story told by Ambiorix was likely in itself. 1932 H. Garland My Friendly Contemporaries i. 7 Whenever my diary indicates a sudden journey to a distant city, a lecture engagement is the likely explanation. 1979 W. B. Ober Boswell's Clap & Other Ess. i. 25 The most likely explanation is..that secondary infection supervened, and that the ‘sore’ was some form of local pyogenic abscess. 2012 Guardian 3 Mar. (Money section) 3/4 The more likely cause was that oil had accumulated in the intake pipes. (b) ironic. Used to express scepticism or disbelief in response to a statement regarded as improbable, lacking credibility, or untrue. Frequently in interjections or exclamations, as a likely story, a likely excuse, etc. ΚΠ 1565 T. Stapleton Disc. Doctrine Protestants in tr. F. Staphylus Apol. f. 205 Againe is eating your bread and drinking your wine, a remembraunce of Christ his deathe and passion? A likely matter truly. You are wonte to crie on scripture, and allow no doctrine withoute it. 1627 J. Rogers Doctr. Faith 143 A likely matter, that from such low abasement I should be advanced to such honour, from hell to heaven. 1675 E. Stillingfleet Answer Mr. Cressy's Epist. iv. 270 A very likely story for so grave a Saint! I do not quarrel with it on the account of the custom of selling English slaves, but for the..silliness of it. 1705 S. Centlivre Gamester 43 Hec. He'll lay himself at your Feet, with full resolution never to touch Box or Dice more. Ang. A likely matter, truly. 1748 T. Smolett Roderick Random I. xxx. 274 A very likely story! (cried Mackshane) what occasion was there for using Greek characters, if you were not afraid of discovering what you had wrote? 1844 Hood's Mag. 2 610 ‘A likely story!’ mumbled Mr. Hix, in a tone between publishing and smothering the remark. 1858 Harper's Mag. Oct. 660/2 How did he bring his letters, then, let alone stopping to have them written. That's a likely story to begin with. 1905 J. B. Naylor Kentuckian viii. 188 ‘Yes, that's a likely tale!’ ‘Nevertheless, it's true,’ Ruth stoutly maintained. 1942 E. Welty Robber Bridegroom ii. 53 ‘I dropped my skirt to the ground and all the herbs fell out, and that is why I did not bring them home.’ ‘A likely excuse!’ said Salome. 1977 H. O'Hagan Woman who got on at Jasper Station 30 Red Pass was two days' journey distant. When he arrived, he would have a likely tale to tell the boys in the beer parlour. 2007 Guardian (Nexis) 16 Aug. 9 He claims that it is all in the interests of research and he is actually working on something very deep about social capital. A likely story. d. Of an event, procedure, state of affairs, etc.: that looks as if it would happen, be realized, or prove to be what is alleged or suggested; probable. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [adjective] > liable to happen probable?a1425 likely1437 casualc1440 incident1488 incidental to1616 liable1619 1437 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1437 §26. m. 5 To the grettest likly myschief þat may falle to þe said roialme. a1591 H. Smith Six Serm. (1618) sig. H4^v Hee would rather content himselfe with his present ease, then commit himselfe to so likely miserie. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vi. 10 Haue you heard of no likely warres towards. View more context for this quotation 1693 J. Ray Three Physico-theol. Disc. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 85 Filtration (which seems to be the most likely Means of raising the water). 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 137 Whether the Child infected the Nurse-Mother, or the Mother the Child was not certain, but the last the most likely. 1732 T. Fuller Gnomologia 186 That is as likely as to see an Hog fly. 1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 291 The green spots..would be the likely camping-ground of wayfarers. 1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 780 A likely source of infection. 1937 Jrnl. Pediatrics 11 790 She had grown five inches..and her bone age had increased to nine years so that no renal osteodystrophy was likely. 1986 New Statesman 26 Sept. 7/1 A hung parliament, according to the bookmakers, is the most likely outcome of the next election. 2006 Esquire Mar. 88 I spent the first few weeks trying to come up with a list of likely scenarios for us to pursue. †3. had (also was, were) likely: (followed by infinitive) came near to doing or being something. Cf. like adj. 11. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)] > to do semblea1400 to make semblant1470 had (also was, were) likely?1503 had like to1548 ?1503 J. Flamank in J. Gairdner Lett. Reigns of Richard III & Henry VII (1861) I. 235 Els I hade lykly to be putt to a grett plonge for my trothe. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. xxxi. f. xiii The Frenschmen or Gallis..came into y^e Capitoill & were lykely to haue wonne it. 1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio Compl. Hist. Warrs Flanders ii. v. 274 A very hot skirmish had likely to have been; had not the King..made his men retreat. 1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 129 The Deanery of Peterborough..which..he had likely to have lost upon information given to the Queen that it was ruinous. 1789 Lady's Mag. Aug. 402/1 A tumble there I believe had likely to have happened lately, had not you know who interposed. 1824 J. McHenry O'Halloran I. ii. 29 Our hero..took a walk.., in order once more to view the spot that had likely to have been so fatal to him. 1864 R. H. F. Rippon Victor xii. 68 Her pride had likely to have made such a breach between Edwin and herself as might have eternally separated them. III. Appropriate, promising, capable, or having the appearance of being so. 4. Appropriate, seemly, befitting. Now archaic and rare. ΘΚΠ society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] goodOE proper?c1225 felea1250 featc1325 seeming1338 rightful1340 thriftyc1386 sittingc1390 duea1393 truea1398 goodly1398 convenienta1400 wella1400 seemc1400 likelyc1425 fitc1440 tallc1440 befalling1542 fittinga1616 c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 437 (MED) Kepe ȝow..þer for to abide Where most is likly oure party to sustene. 1588 W. Allen Admon. to Nobility & People p. lv The honorablest quarrell, the likeliest and most commendable cause.., that possibly can be. a1674 J. Milton Plan of Paradise Lost in Compl. Wks. (1738) I. p. xliv After likely Discourses [Lot] præpares for thire entertainment. 1742 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) IV. 587 The Vessel had been cleansed and Aired in the likeliest Manner. 1859 H. Keddie Nut-brown Maids xiii. 299 ‘But surely he be taking steps to..gain the means of maintaining you in a more likely fashion,’ persisted Mother Stacie. 1870 M. Twain in Suppl. Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) 5 Nov. 181/1 A verse from some likely hymn or other. 1907 H. Sutcliffe Toward Dawn xxi. 337 Wilt stay outside i' th' wind, or wilt be likelier-spoken to folk I choose to ask indoors? 2013 M. Ratcliffe Tales of Golmeira xx. 103 I'll rustle up some likely clothes for the girl and be back within the hour. 5. a. Showing promise of success, achievement, or excellence; promising. Chiefly with reference to people (esp. young people) or animals. Now somewhat rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective] fairc1325 likely1548 sperable1565 hoped1581 propitious1581 promising1594 hopeful1599 auspiciousa1616 flattering1633 promissory1732 sperate1808 likely-looking1827 favourable1828 promiseful1855 c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 2833 (MED) Þis child, likly and riȝt faire..was born to ben eyre After Pirrus. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxi^v The kyng had..marked, bothe his wit and his likely towardnes. c1557 Enterlude of Youth (new ed.) sig. Bii By likelyhod thou shulde do well ynowe Thou art a lykely felowe. 1595 H. Roberts Lancaster his Allarums sig. B.2 Symon Boreman sonne of M. Boreman Owner of the Salomon, a toward and likely youth. 1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 41 The likeliest and ablest springals are chosen. 1686 J. Warr tr. Quintilian Declamations iii. 67 His villany could proceed no further, when he had debauched so likely and hopeful a Youth. 1728 Street-robberies, Consider'd 22 What a Shame it is said he, that such a likely young Man as you are, should be brought up in such an ignorant Manner. 1793 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1891) XII. 381 I am very sorry to hear that so likely a young fellow..should addict himself to such courses. 1871 Sat. Rev. 22 Apr. 510/2 Likely and promising pines..introduced from California within the last half-century. 1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xviii. 226 Chinamen go to Mongolia in spring, buy up likely animals. 1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs i. 4 A man applied at the Land Office for a likely piece of country which he had seen on his travels. 1987 Birmingham Post 25 Aug. 11 (caption) The department has ten jobs on offer to likely boys and girls leaving school this year. 2015 S. P. Davis Outlaw takes Bride xxii. 249 Let's stop at the livery and see if Mr. Benner's got any likely horses for you. b. Capable, vigorous, strong, or having the appearance of being so. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having the appearance of capability likely1454 1454 in Paston Lett. (1904) II. 297 The Duke of York..wole come with his houshold meynee, clenly beseen and likly men. 1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. c.viii The goodly number of y^e likely men & redy horses. c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 215 Thay appered to be licklie men, and well appointed for the war. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus Famous Hyst. i. f. 31^v Choyse should be made of stronge and likelie men for the gard and preseruation of his body. c1650 (a1500) Eger & Grime (Percy) (1933) 91 Likelier armour than I had Was no Christian man in clade. 1687 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 235 I arrived at Dunstable with a Company of very good, likely, effective men. 1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xiii. 335 Two hundred very likely Soldiers well arm'd, and disciplin'd. 1766 J. Bartram Let. 9 Apr. (1992) 664 I have sent thee six likely young negroes amongst which is two young breeding wenches. 1863 in E. Dicey Six Months Federal States I. 254 (advt.) He [sc. a fugitive slave] is..stout and well built; very likely. 1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island x. 79 The boatswain, Job Anderson, was the likeliest man aboard, and, though he kept his old title, he served in a way as mate. 1907 J. M. Synge Playboy of Western World iii. 85 Ten thousand blessings upon all that's here, for you've turned me a likely gaffer in the end of all. 1943 Irish Hist. Stud. 3 278 A kind of press gang..paraded the back-streets of Dublin and spirited away at convenient moments all likely labourers. 2008 L. Todd Carolina Clay i. 18 Harvey might have found him to be a likely worker with a strong back equal to the many tasks of the pottery. 6. Apparently suitable or qualified for a purpose or activity; apparently able or fitted to do or be something. Frequently with for or infinitive. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > apparently suitable likelyc1430 like1545 c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1174 Me thynkith that he is so wel I-wrought And likli for to ben a man. c1430 (c1393) G. Chaucer Scogan (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 32 Þat ben so likly folk in loue to spede. c1480 (a1400) St. John Baptist l. 837 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 247 A basare..stark & likly als but let to strik in twa his als. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 364 Haile he [sc. Wallace] was, likly to gang and ryd. a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2107 In euery wise he was a likely knyght for that Office. 1544 Act 35 Henry VIII c. 17 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 977 Standilles or storers likely to prove and to be Tymber trees. 1591 H. Smith Affinitie of Faithfull sig. A3^v Deuising the likeliest policie to frustrate & disgrace but one of his Sermons. 1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. ii. §6. 405 The best and likeliest meanes of their common safetie. 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler ii. 45 We are not yet come to a likely place. View more context for this quotation 1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 283. ¶19 I regard Trade..as the most natural and likely Method of making a Man's Fortune. 1819 A. Rees Cycl. XIV. at File The most likely machine for file-cutting. 1883 ‘A Conservative-Radical’ Future Capital Brit. Empire 12 Where would be the most likely spot for the Confederated Parliament of the British Empire to meet? 1931 Motor Boating Jan. 42/2 I selected a likely spot for mooring. 1966 Life 7 Jan. 49 (caption) You can't pick a likelier spot for a picnic than a bluff above a quiet sea at Byblos. 2005 L. Leblanc Pretty in Punk i. 25 I would hang out in locales frequented by punks, on the lookout for likely subjects. †7. Of attractive appearance; good-looking, pretty, handsome. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons faireOE seemlya1225 featous1340 jolly?a1366 tretis?a1366 comelya1375 covenablea1375 well-beseenc1374 favourablea1398 farrandc1400 personable?1435 well-favoureda1438 covenantc1440 likelyc1450 trety?c1450 tret1488 decore?a1513 jimp?a1513 wally?a1513 smotter?1520 snout-fair1530 well-looking1613 comely-looking1648 personal1658 comely-looked1664 winsome1677 tidy1714 good-looking1715 well to be seen1809 c1450 J. Capgrave Solace of Pilgrims (Bodl. 423) (1911) 7 (MED) Eke he chase owt of þe puple of þe moust strenghest & likly men, and ech of hem called was miles, þat is to sey in owr langage, a knyth. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 63 Thys damesell than behelde thys poure knyght and saw he was a lyckly man. a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) l. 1911 (MED) Full lykkely lordys she myghte haue had, That off her wold be full glad. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xv. sig. K2^v These young companions make themselues beleeue they love at the first liking of a likely beautie. 1664 T. Killigrew Princesse i. ii, in Comedies & Trag. 8 Lieutenant, is she likely? is it a handsome Wench? a1726 J. Vanbrugh Journey to London (1728) iv. i. 48 You lookt a good likely Woman last Night. 1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. lxi. 288 She is very likely and genteel. 1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross I. 69 You are white, and she is brown; but you are both likely. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xii. 190 You'll soon get another husband,—such a likely gal as you. a1917 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick (1927) 14 Thon young doctor's a rale leikely-leike fallih. B. adv. 1. Probably, in all probability. Frequently in most (also very) likely. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb] welleOE lightly1395 likely1395 likinglyc1395 by (also of) likeliheadc1405 by (also of) likelinessc1405 by all (also most) likelihood1427 provably1460 of (all) likelihood1491 belike?1531 like1548 belikelya1551 in (all) likelihood1570 probably1600 by (also in) probabilitya1602 in (also by) all probability1617 presumably1658 prob.1730 nigh hand1848 predictably1914 prolly1922 odds-on1976 Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 93 (MED) He myghte..licli waste lesse the godis of the chirche. ?c1425 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Royal 17 D.vi) (1860) 15 And likly that thow deemest for folie Is gretter wisdome than thow canst espie. c1475 (?c1400) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 434 (MED) Likliche hem wantiþ to be þe leeste membre þat Crist haþ ordeyned to be of his Chirche. a1500 (?1382) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 170 (MED) If a man do þis almes to him þat lyveþ yvyl..it is al on to norische hym wityngly or lickly. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 5 He were seker..of hym euer And most likly be loste & his los keppit. 1579 in R. Travers Expos. CXI. Psalme Ep. Ded. sig. ij^v His life..by quietnes in his Colledge, should likely haue bene prolonged. 1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde* 104 When of one house there be three or fower brethren, likely one or two of them giue themselues to trafique and merchandize. 1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Deut. xxxiv. 8) 159 The children of Israel..were ready to wish, (likely) as the Romanes did of Augustus, that either he had never been born, or never dyed. 1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act I. iii. 19 The young Man who is to succeed him, may likely spend his Fortune. 1771 J. Murray Serm. to Doctors in Divinity iv. 242 A layman..will very likely have very different cases of conscience from a church dignitary. 1812 P. Dealtry Let. 17 Dec. in S. Parr Wks. (1828) VIII. 363 I shall most likely say a good deal on the subject when we meet. 1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xviii. 211 Ask him where he is going..and likely he will tell you he is going to some shrine to worship. 1931 E. O'Neill Mourning becomes Electra i. i. 37 You've likely heard gossip. 1971 Publishers' Weekly 22 Nov. 14/1 Within a few years the microfiche likely will move from the library into the study and home. 2009 C. Dickason King's Daughter (2010) xliv. 264 I fear you'll most likely learn more here than you wish. †2. In a suitable or appropriate manner, suitably, appropriately, fitly; (also) reasonably. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] ylikeeOE alsoOE with likec1175 swilk12.. in (also on and without preposition) like mannerc1330 in semblable case(s, in case(s semblable1390 item1398 in likec1400 semblably1420 in like wise1422 likelya1425 likewisec1443 alikewisec1450 ylikedealc1450 in like casea1459 ylikewise1460 otherwaysc1485 semblable1490 sic-like1513 like1529 seemably1535 likeways1551 agreeably1561 fellowlikea1569 alliably1593 likewisely1605 in specie1632 similarly1657 resemblingly1661 kindredly1765 evenwise1866 the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > fitly or reasonably gladlyc1386 likelya1425 a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 335 Þus in þes fyve figuris many men licly suppose, þat [etc.]. c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 30 (MED) Formyng in me þe maner of my lyf Lykly vnto þe heuenly gouernaunce. c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1442 (MED) So was that Lord receuyd..Lykly to hys plesure. 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 48 The knowledge of heat that we have from the feeling of it, is far more off from the right knowledge of it, or such as may likeliest become God, than [etc.]. †3. In a like or similar manner; similarly. Also: with a strong resemblance or high degree of similarity. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > painting according to subject > [adverb] > close resemblance in portrait likely?a1600 c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 3368 The faderes redemyd fro helle ioyned he til aungels likely. 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum at Sc. Sc. and Sk. bene very likely vsed. ?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) iii. xi. sig. Riv^v Then are those vessels likely proportionall. ?a1600 in Montgomerie's Poems (1887) 274 Not abill, in tabill, With colours competent, So quiklie or liklie A form to represent. 1619 Helpe to Discourse sig. L One asked a prostitute Ladie of Florence, how her children so likely resembled her husband, shee so vsually commersing with others. 1699 A. Seller Whole Duty of Christian 98 Actuate (O Spirit of Life) this sluggish Soul, that the last part of my Race may be run with more Vigour, likelier to the Heavenly Imployment, than all the rest have been. C. n. 1. A thing judged likely to be true, to exist, or to happen. Now usually with the: that which is probable (as opposed to with that which is unlikely or implausible); probable things collectively. ΚΠ 1577 Merie Prognost. sig. Aiii A Prognostication... Hereafter foloweth the certaintie, As well of euery season this yeare, As all other likelies that be like to appeare. 1706 Rehearsal 3 July in C. Leslie View of Times (1708) I. This is a Pretty Turn... He wou'd go from Fact to Likelies! And then he has Scope to..Drop the Question... This is a very Manifest Likely! 1861 Scotsman 30 Apr. 2/2 They have already fixed the boundaries of the likely and the preposterous in their own minds. 1906 J. Bennett Treasure Peyer Gaillard xxiv. 203 A man of legal acumen, with a mind well-trained to discriminate between the true and the false, the likely and the unlikely. 1987 H. Titvo Animal Estate Introd. 12 Its [sc. the book's] often implausible content..underscored the difficulty of discriminating in principle between the likely and the impossible in the absence of a systematic understanding of nature. 2003 L. Brooks Story Physics xi. 97 Social values, political power..[etc.],..these define the possible and impossible, the likely and the unlikely. 2. Often with the. A person who or thing which is likely to do or achieve something (specified or implied); one who or that which is likely to be chosen from among several alternatives. Chiefly in plural. ΚΠ 1840 Wesleyan-Methodist Mag. June 520/2 He made every [fundraising] effort; and he went to the likely and the unlikely, missing nobody. 1857 ‘A Cumbrian’ Mural Controv. (ed. 2) Introd. 6 See how the race goes with the ‘likelies’ then. 1908 Delta of Sigma Nu Nov. 366 With an unusually large student enrollment and a fair assortment of ‘likelies’, Gamma Gamma..retired with a handsome selection. 1963 Tucson (Arizona) Daily Citizen 31 Dec. 17/1 Jack Jackson..is one of the leading likelies for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. 2006 D. Ruderman Ultimate College Acceptance Syst. xvii. 250 You applied to six to twelve schools, making sure they were balanced between reachies, likelies, and safeties. 2009 Irish Times 31 Dec. (Ticket section) 24 (header) Women musicians dominate list of 2010 likelies. Phrases P1. †by likely: = sense B. 1. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) x. lxxxviii. sig. kiiij^v I wote wel I shold haue had hard handelynge of hym, and by lykely I muste nedes haue had the werse. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 48^v By likely to hit the pricke alwayes, is vnpossible. P2. colloquial. (as) likely as not: expressing that something is very likely to occur or be the case; likely, probably; = (as) like as not at like adj., adv., conj., and prep. Phrases 5b. ΚΠ 1656 J. Lewis Ευαγγελιογραϕα 32 Finding that Families and whole housholds were baptised, it is as likely as not, that Infants might be amongst them. 1691 J. Wilson Belphegor v. iii. 62 Gri. See if you know 'em; perhaps, they may have past your hand. Pic. As likely, as not. 1703 P. Motteux et al. tr. M. de Cervantes Hist. Don Quixote IV. lxxi. 710 I am very much mistaken if I had not a Glimpse of this very name of Don Alvaro Tarfe... As likely as not, quoth Sancho. 1864 G. Meredith Emilia in Eng. III. xix. 269 When I unpin Miss Laura at night, I'm as likely as not to get a silk dress that ain't been worn more than half-a-dozen times. 1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xxx. 264 He's always up to tricks, and if you wallop him, likely as not, next night, he'll take and spoil your best trick, out of revenge. 1917 H. H. Richardson Fortunes Richard Mahony I. i. 5 No matter how great the heat by day, the night would as likely as not be nipping cold. 1988 R. Turnbull Fisher's World: Canada 19 Likely as not one will find Portuguese fishermen playing soccer on the harbor apron. 2008 Economist 20 Dec. 133/3 It is like trying to fix a car without properly understanding how it works: not impossible, but as likely as not to result in a breakdown or a crash. P3. colloquial. not likely and variants: used to express emphatic disagreement or refusal. Also with expletive inserted (cf. not Pygmalion likely at Pygmalion adv.). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > refusal > [phrase] not if I can help it1682 I'll be far (enough) if1752 I'll be shot (occasionally shortened to shot!) if1761 to have none of it1849 not if you paid me1853 not likely1878 that's your problem1951 1878 Boys of Eng. 12 Apr. 324/2 ‘Hush! never breathe a word about me in this affair, or you may do me an injury, and I know you don't want to do that.’ ‘Not likely, old boy.’ 1893 G. B. Shaw Widowers' Houses ii. iv. 47 Catch him going down to collect his own rents! Not likely! 1914 G. B. Shaw Pygmalion (1916) iii. 153 Walk! Not bloody likely... I am going in a taxi. 1922 C. E. Montague Disenchantment x. 139 The German sentries said, ‘Go back, or we shall have to shoot.’ The Englishmen said ‘Not likely!’ advanced to the German wire, and asked again for an officer. 1976 Transatlantic Rev. May 13 ‘Not bleeding likely,’ Seth says, but the others waver and retract. 2011 P. Schoenewaldt When We were Strangers 8 ‘Hush,’ Zia Carmela scolded. ‘The Lord will punish you.’ ‘Not likely, old woman. He doesn't even know we're here.’ Compounds C1. Compounds of the adverb. † likely-looked adj. Obsolete rare of pleasing appearance; attractive; = likely-looking adj. 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] faireOE comelyOE winlyOE goodlyOE hendya1250 hendc1275 quaintc1300 seemlyc1305 tidya1325 avenant1340 honestc1384 sightya1387 properc1390 well beseena1393 queema1400 speciousa1400 featousc1400 parisantc1400 rekenc1400 well-favoureda1438 wellc1450 spectable?a1475 delicatec1480 jollya1500 bonny?a1513 snog1513 viewlyc1536 goodlikec1550 sightly1555 sightful1565 beholdinga1586 eyesome?1587 decent1600 vage1604 prospicuous1605 eyely1614 fashionable1630 well-looking1638 softa1643 fineish1647 well-looked1660 of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700 likely-looked1709 sonsy1720 smiling1725 aspectable1731 smirkya1758 likely-looking1771 respectable1776 magnificent-looking1790 producible1792 presentable1800 good-looking1804 nice-looking1807 bonnyish1855 spick1882 eyeable1887 aegyo2007 1709 Brit. Apollo 13–15 Apr. He must be a likely-look'd Fellow. C2. Compounds of the adjective. likely lad n. (a) a boy or young man viewed as capable or potentially successful, a promising youth; cf. sense A. 5; (b) British a working-class young man; a young man with characteristics stereotypically associated with the working class.In later use influenced by the title of The Likely Lads, a British sitcom about two working class men from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, first broadcast in 1964. ΚΠ 1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 147 They are likely Lads, they seem to chuse heartily their Fathers Ways. View more context for this quotation 1778 F. G. Waldron Maid of Kent iii. 54 Here he comes, and a likely lad he is as any in the parish. 1861 Living Age 6 July 356/1 Nevertheless, the lad is a likely lad. 1956 N.Y. Times 17 Nov. 29/5 A representative of an unidentified company offered to pay high school and college expenses for a likely lad. 1987 Times 29 Aug. 20/1 There is a type of likely lad, a cocky chat up artist on the make if not on the fiddle, who is always accused of acting except when in his professional capacity as a member of Equity. 1998 B. Elton Blast from Past (1999) xliii. 274 The Republicans were on the lookout for likely lads who might help to break their hold on power. 2007 S. Dunne Reaper (2009) ix. 149 A likely lad at the front of the queue bawled out, ‘Encore!’ to gales of laughter and derisive hoots. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † likelyv. Forms: pre-1700 liklie, pre-1700 lykly. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: likely adj. Etymology: < likely adj. (compare likely adj. 7). Scottish. Obsolete. transitive. To ornament, embellish, adorn. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament dightc1200 begoa1225 fay?c1225 rustc1275 duba1300 shrouda1300 adorna1325 flourishc1325 apparel1366 depaintc1374 dressa1375 raila1375 anorna1382 orna1382 honourc1390 paintc1390 pare1393 garnisha1400 mensk?a1400 apykec1400 hightlec1400 overfretc1440 exornc1450 embroider1460 repair1484 empare1490 ornate1490 bedo?a1500 purfle?a1500 glorify?1504 betrap1509 broider1509 deck?1521 likelya1522 to set forth1530 exornate1539 grace1548 adornate1550 fardc1550 gaud1554 pink1558 bedeck1559 tight1572 begaud1579 embellish1579 bepounce1582 parela1586 flower1587 ornify1590 illustrate1592 tinsel1594 formalize1595 adore1596 suborn1596 trapper1597 condecorate1599 diamondize1600 furnish1600 enrich1601 mense1602 prank1605 overgreen1609 crown1611 enjewel1611 broocha1616 varnish1641 ornament1650 array1652 bedub1657 bespangle1675 irradiate1717 gem1747 begem1749 redeck1771 blazon1813 aggrace1825 diamond1839 panoply1851 a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) i. Prol. 124 Or than to mak my sayng schort sum tyme, Mair compendyus, or to lykly my ryme. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2020). < adj.adv.n.c1384v.a1522
随便看	mock sun mock the afflicted mock trial mock trumpet mock tudor mock turtle mock turtle soup mock turtleneck mock up mock valentine mock venison mock word mock-acacia mock-apple mock-beggar mock-beggar hall mock-bird mock-clown mock-duck mock-god mock-god-like mock-guest mock-heroic mock-heroical mock-heroically

likelyadj.adv.n.

Phrases

Compounds

† likelyv.