likely1 adjectivelikely2 adverb
likelylike‧ly1 /ˈlaɪkli/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative likelier, superlative likeliest) 
WORD ORIGINlikely1
Origin:
1300-1400 Old Norse glikligr, from glikr ‘like’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a list of likely candidates
- A peace settlement now seems likely.
- It is likely that the girl knew her killer.
- Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon.
- The jury is very likely to believe he was in the apartment at the time of the crime.
- The most likely result is a win for the Democrats.
- The price of petrol is likely to rise again this year.
- At least some of the extra cost of stockholding is likely to be passed on to the caterer.
- But if the past points the way to the future, then a healthy and prosperous adulthood seems more than likely.
- But they are likely to be of greater strategic than employment significance, and there will be losses.
- More experiments on more lymphoma-bearing mice followed, and the doses likely to achieve the best effect were assessed with great care.
- Regular travellers committed to such programmes are likely to choose hotels providing appropriate health and fitness facilities.
Longman Language Activatorwhen it is likely that something will happen or is true
when something will probably happen or is probably true: · "Where is she?" "Probably in her room."· We'll probably be shooting the movie on location in Europe.· Archaeologists think the temple was probably built in the 3rd century AD.· He wrote dozens of books, but this is probably his best-known novel.
something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true: · The most likely result is a win for the Democrats.likely to do something: · The price of petrol is likely to rise again this year.very likely: · The jury is very likely to believe he was in the apartment at the time of the crime.something seems likely: · A peace settlement now seems likely.it is likely (that): · It is likely that the girl knew her killer.
formal likely to be true or likely to happen: it is/seems probable (that): · It seems probable that the election will be held in May.highly probable (=when something will almost certainly happen): · Unless the government agrees to further talks, a strike seems highly probable.probable cause: · The report states that the probable cause of death was a heart attack.probable cost/result/outcome etc: · The project will go ahead, at a probable cost of $2.1 million.
to be very likely: · The withdrawal of the allied forces is now a strong possibility.be a strong possibility (that): · There is a strong possibility that both the murders were committed by one man.be a strong possibility of: · The weather forecast says that there's a strong possibility of snow.
spoken say this when the present situation makes you think that something is likely to happen or likely to be true: · There aren't any taxis. It looks as if we'll have to walk.· Ted should be here by now. It looks like he's been delayed.it looks like being British: · From the agenda, it looks like being a long meeting.
if something may well happen or may well be true, it is fairly likely to happen or to be true: · Take an umbrella. It might well rain later on.· That's only my opinion. I could well be wrong.· The eruption of Santorini in 1470 BC may well have been heard as far away as Britain.it may well be (that): · It could well be that it is too late for us to reverse the effects of global warming.something may well be the case: · "Apparently, interest rates could rise again next month." "Yes, that might well be the case."
British /be in the cards American use this to say that something is likely to happen because of the present situation: · They say that another recession is on the cards.· No one was surprised when they got a divorce. It had been on the cards for years.· I was hoping for a promotion, but it doesn't seem to be in the cards right now.
also I guess American spoken say this when you think something is likely to be true or likely to happen: I suppose (that): · There was no reply when I phoned - I suppose she's still at work.· I suppose that they'll do some sightseeing while they're here.· I guess Kathy will want to bring her boyfriend.I suppose so/I guess so (=use this to answer a question): · "Is Bill coming too?" "I suppose so."· "If you don't pass the test, will you take it again?" "I guess so."
British /I would think/guess American spoken say this when you know enough about a situation to think something is likely to be true or likely to happen: · The garden's about 100 metres long, I would guess.I should think (that): · I should think she's about 24 or 25.· I would think that almost everyone could get here on a Saturday. I should/would think so: · "Will the match still go ahead?'' "Yes, I should think so.''
spoken say this when you know enough about a situation to think that something is likely to happen or be true, especially something special or unusual: I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to get married.I wouldn't be surprised to hear/see/find etc that: · I wouldn't be surprised to hear that she'd left that job by now.
very likely to happen or be true · An early end to the dispute is now very likely.· "Do you think she's still in love with him?" "More than likely."· Victory for the German team now seems more than likely.very likely/more than likely to do something · Snow is very likely to spread across the region by the afternoon.it's very likely (that) · It's very likely that he'll be late -- he usually is.
especially written · The number of dead will very probably reach 2,000 by the end of the day.· The disease is very probably transmitted in water.
extremely likely to happen or be true: it is almost certain (that): · It is almost certain that the government will lose the next election.almost certain to do something: · Bartholomew's family is almost certain to appeal the court's decision.
very probably - use this when you have considered something and you are giving your opinion about it: · In all probability, parts of the church date from even earlier than the twelfth century.· She knew that, in all probability, he was seeing other women as well as herself.
spoken say this when you think it is extremely likely that something will happen or has happened: (it's)ten to one (that): · Stop worrying, Mum. Ten to one Liz has just gone round to a friend's house.· It's ten to one you'll get the job - you're perfect for it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs
It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.
· It did not seem very likely that he was still alive.
· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.
British English (=very likely)· As parents, if we expect bad behaviour we are quite likely to get it.
· The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.
(=not very likely)· It seems hardly likely that she would tell her husband about it.
(=very likely)· She'll be late, more than likely.
· The project looked increasingly likely to fail.
verbs· Which candidate seems likely to win?
nouns· What is the most likely explanation for the way she acted?
· the most likely outcome of the election
· Consider the options open to you, and their likely consequences.
(=the likely effect or influence of something)· What is the likely impact of the new factory on the local environment?
· the likely cause of the accident
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The probable cause of the fire was faulty wiring.
· What are the likely consequences of these changes?
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.· He’s studying the potential impact of climate change.
· What is the likely outcome of the election?
· The more likely scenario is that support for the group will wane.
· Who is his most likely successor as Director of the BBC World Service?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· It is also likely that because of past changes a growing number of women will retire with some entitlement to a state pension.· It is also likely to cause instability elsewhere in the region.· The rise in self-employment is also likely to increase the flexibility of earnings.· It is also likely that planned economic development and rehabilitation programs will grow.· There are also likely to be provisions against losses on swap deals with local councils, which may be over £50million.· Construction activity and home sales are also likely to plunge because of the storm, analysts said.· There is also likely to be a row over the name Deloitte, which neither party seems prepared to give up.· Ethnic and linguistic factors are also likely to play a part.
· His life expectancy is falling and he is seven times as likely to be murdered as a white boy.· We are just as likely to sack the supplier and look for a nicer one.· Patients who wore them were almost twice as likely to break the habit as those who wore a dummy patch.· Ten bad products are just as likely to fail as one bad product - there is no protection in numbers.· He's about as likely to have sympathy for the devil as he is to have satisfaction.· They're just as likely to be used against us as they are against you.· And they are as likely to get worse as to get better.· Generally speaking, a widower or divorced man was three times as likely to remarry as his female counterpart throughout the period.
· It's hardly likely that the people in charge would want to share the fate of this unfortunate planet.· It is hardly likely that a vicious thug will wait politely while we ring the police.· Far from being a jackpot for commuters, the compensation payouts are hardly likely to be worth the flutter.· It seemed hardly likely she would go to such lengths to prevent her husband from discovering about the Grand Duke Igor.· It could have been an accident, but I knew that was hardly likely, not with the file missing.· They're hardly likely to have the most tolerant or liberal attitudes are they!· But the Research Board is hardly likely to get involved in a policing activity.· Such an accusation is hardly likely to have been invented by his enemies if he had not performed miracles.
· It seems highly likely that this contributes to their increased risk of infection.· This sequence is not inevitable, but is highly likely to occur eventually unless adequate steps are taken to prevent it.· It seems highly likely that most if not all the beer produced in Brick Lane by now was porter.· Indeed, it seems highly likely that working-class families would have controlled family size through the old, rather than new, techniques.· A survey will be carried out of sewage disposal systems and it is highly likely that major expenditure will be necessary.
· I would prefer an analogue contents display because it is more eye-catching and less likely to be misread.· The possibility of oil production seems less likely.· They are much less likely to be using mail order.· This is a little more expensive than a normal invitation but it is less likely that it will get lost.· This would make you less likely to behave like this in similar circumstances in the future.· It's already known that women who take the contraceptive pill are much less likely to develop it.· That is less likely, perhaps, with a more radical redesign.· I would tend to favour the first method as you are less likely to let the compost get too wet.
· Your face will be more likely to have a dull complexion, with podgy, sagging cheeks and double chin.· But it is more likely that he will not go far enough.· Attention will also be given to whether pro-development objections are more likely to succeed than anti-development ones.· It is more likely that the incorporation of radical ideas will contribute to their dilution and distraction.· Children are more likely to be politically interested and active if their parents have been similarly interested or active.· Women were more likely than men to be dependent on poor relief.· On the one hand Conservative supporters seem more concerned about the outcome on Thursday and are fractionally more likely to vote.
· The most likely explanation for this is that the vehicle itself is not actually speeding up, but the cooling fan is!· They say people who die sudden, violent deaths are most likely to become ghosts and haunt the earth.· The still-married are the most likely to continue to live in their own private homes.· The majority are most likely engineering managers, often managing industrial research, development, and design projects.· But one might be forgiven for doubting if this is the most likely cause of the toxic side-effects of direct drilling!· She identified the most likely candidate as Leach, who, she said, had agreed to accept her nomination.· The most likely tributary area is the Lasithi plain.· Flu is most likely to affect you in the autumn and winter, e.g. from October to March.
· And it's quite likely that we never will.· However, it is quite likely that the alienated student will refuse to do much schoolwork.· Then the hrududu is quite likely to crush you.· At work you are quite likely to have to follow a house style.· Absurd though it may seem, it is quite likely that Mr Honecker and his companions genuinely believe all this.· It is quite likely that you not only have no experience of regression therapy but have never even been hypnotized before.· This is quite likely to be X - hence our mixture of compounds.· Relieved of this burden, quite likely things improved to some extent.
· It is very likely that since the calf injury the strength of the muscles will have deteriorated considerably.· That makes it very likely that a weak compromise selection will be made.· Some of the houses were very likely in poor condition.· I was only on the waiting list anyway and it wasn't very likely that four people would drop out.· But a child chewing one of these Castor beans would very likely die.· It wasn't very likely that he was going to want to get involved again, was it?· It is very likely to over-react, however, and introduce formal procedures that swing the pendulum too far the other way.· Various experiments done in volcanic environments have shown that proteinoid globules are very likely to form in such regions.
NOUN· The police kept up their enquiries and one or two likely candidates rose to the surface, but nothing was clearly actionable.· In retrospect, however, it is clear that there were always good reasons why this city was a likely candidate.· Actor David Jason is a likely candidate for one of these.· Even the least likely candidate for a career in dance knew that Truitte was available after class for talk about the field.· Three likely candidates for study are the comets Enke, Tempel 2 and Honday-Mrkos-Pajdusakova.· She identified the most likely candidate as Leach, who, she said, had agreed to accept her nomination.· With the United States running a current account deficit of staggering dimensions, the most likely candidate is not hard to spot.· Thames, North West and Severn Trent are the most likely candidates.
· As to likely causes, the out-of-round wheels phenomenon looks feasible.· Hypokalemia is usually associated with this condition and is a more likely cause of the arrhythmias.· But one might be forgiven for doubting if this is the most likely cause of the toxic side-effects of direct drilling!· Flying experts again reckoned a cockpit mistake was the most likely cause of yesterday's catastrophe.· And if I insisted he came with me, he'd likely cause trouble, just as he said.· A spokesman for Greenpeace said that industrial pollution appeared to be the most likely cause.· What do you think is the most likely cause of your symptoms?· Given that the doctor has ruled out infection and other likely causes for the diarrhoea, then food sensitivity should be considered.
· It is most important that the patient considers the likely consequences of different ways of trying to achieve goals.· They are like charts which allow predictions to be made about the likely consequences of taking different courses of action.· The process leading up to this and its likely consequences for teaching are discussed in detail in the article by Walsh.· Soviet television crews were taken to the site, telegenic Soviet doctors were produced to discuss the likely consequences.· In the absence of systematic research on these questions one can only speculate on the likely consequences of changes in employment practices.· Next, you have to consider the options open to you and their likely consequences.· What would be the likely consequences of specific changes in the current set of fiscal measures affecting forestry?· An assessment of the likely consequences for Britain if Congress rejected the loan makes interesting reading.
· Running was the most likely explanation.· I had suggested some new tropical disease was a far more likely explanation.· The most likely explanation for this is that the vehicle itself is not actually speeding up, but the cooling fan is!· These relaxations are a more likely explanation for oesophagopharyngeal reflux than defective basal upper oesophageal sphincter tone.· The most likely explanation seems to be that stroking makes leaf tissues tougher.· The more likely explanation is that she was pressurising him to leave your daughter to marry her.· The most likely explanation was her offer to buy him dinner in return for the loan of the flat.
· Here she is assessing the likely outcome of a confrontation with her local council.· The most likely outcome will be that Rep.· In this way, individual operations can be shaped to be realistic rather than at odds with the likely outcome.· An evaluation can also indicate with some authority what are likely outcomes or consequences of recommended revisions.· Five out of six opinion polls yesterday showed Labour in the lead, pointing to a hung Parliament as the most likely outcome.· Higher education was reinforcing likely outcomes instead of altering them.· But what of the fourth situation which is actually the most likely outcome?· However, the granting of bail is the most likely outcome.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- It was not a likely story when she was due on stage in half an hour.
- And as to the finish, well, they'd be more than happy for you to check the results for yourself.
- For the most part, gallery staffers are more than happy to answer questions and discuss artists.
- If the leader is open, receptive, and responsive to you, the others will more than likely follow suit.
- If this is not possible, then most printers are more than happy to visit enquirers.
- The accident, as it turns out, was a broken mirror and more than likely a shortage of time.
- The Cap'n had been to Jarman House once ... would be coming again more than likely.
- They spend the time getting space for some new person who more than likely will leave.
- We trooped along and he more than likely brought his mate John Grey along with him.
WORD FAMILYnounlikelihoodadjectivelikely ≠ unlikelyadverblikely
1something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true OPP unlikely: Snow showers are likely tomorrow.likely outcome/effects/consequences etc What are the likely effects of the law going to be? the most likely cause of the problemlikely to do/be something Children who live in the country’s rural areas are very likely to be poor.more/less/most/least likely Young drivers are far more likely to have accidents than older drivers. It is more than likely (=almost certain) the votes will have to be counted again. It could have been an accident, but that was hardly likely (=not very likely). He could offer no likely explanation when I asked him.2[only before noun] suitable for a particular purpose: the three most likely candidates for president One likely source of energy is wind power.3a likely story spoken used to tell someone you do not believe what they have just saidCOLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/highly/extremely likely· It did not seem very likely that he was still alive.more/most likely· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.quite likely British English (=very likely)· As parents, if we expect bad behaviour we are quite likely to get it.less/least likely· The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.hardly likely (=not very likely)· It seems hardly likely that she would tell her husband about it.more than likely (=very likely)· She'll be late, more than likely.increasingly likely· The project looked increasingly likely to fail.verbsseem/appear/look likely· Which candidate seems likely to win?nounsa likely explanation· What is the most likely explanation for the way she acted?a likely result/outcome· the most likely outcome of the electiona likely effect/consequence· Consider the options open to you, and their likely consequences.the likely impact (=the likely effect or influence of something)· What is the likely impact of the new factory on the local environment?a likely cause/reason· the likely cause of the accidentlikely1 adjectivelikely2 adverb
likelylikely2 ●●○ adverb EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Firms that lack the time or resources to develop their own screening procedures will likely turn to personnel firms.
- Five points, which equates to 14 wins, likely will be enough for the conference title. 1.
THESAURUS
adverb used when saying that you think something is true or will happen, although it is not completely definite: · He’s probably gone home.· Rod is probably going to study law.· ‘Is she lying?’ ‘Probably.’
adjective probably going to happen or probably true: · The most likely result is a win for the Democrats.· The price of petrol is likely to rise again this year.· It is likely that we’ll lose.
used when saying that the present situation makes you think that something will probably happen or is probably true: · It looks like Greg has been delayed.· There aren’t any taxis, so it looks as if we’ll have to walk.
used when saying that you think something will probably happen or is probably true: · He may well come back.· Take an umbrella. It might well rain later on.· It may well be his last game.
spoken (also I would guess spoken) used when saying that you think something will probably happen or is probably true, although you are not sure: · ‘Will the match still go ahead?' ’Yes, I would think so.’· I should think she’s about 24 or 25.
Longman Language Activatorwhat you say when you refuse to do something · "Can you come and help move these boxes?" "No, sorry, I'm busy."· "You're sick - you need to stay in bed." "No, I have to be at this meeting."
spoken use this to firmly refuse to do something and say that nothing will change your mind: · "Why don't you phone him and apologize.'' "No way -- I haven't done anything wrong!''· No way am I going to look after all three children on my own!· There's no way I'm going to put up with rudeness like that!
spoken use this to tell someone that there is no chance at all of you doing something: · "Maybe things will sort themselves out in time." "Forget it, the relationship's over."· As for the idea of going on holiday together, forget it!
British spoken use this when you think that what someone has asked you to do is stupid or dangerous: · "Are you coming to that lecture this evening?" "Not likely - there's free beer at the Queen's Arms tonight!"
British spoken that's final American spoken used after you have refused to do something, in order to show that you will not change your mind or discuss your decision: · I'm not coming, and that's flat. Now stop bothering me.· There's no way I'm helping Ted move again, and that's final.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. spoken (=very probably) As likely as not, the meeting will take place in the village pub.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES As likely as not, the meeting will take place in the village pub.· The probable cause of the fire was faulty wiring.
· What are the likely consequences of these changes?
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.· He’s studying the potential impact of climate change.
· What is the likely outcome of the election?
· The more likely scenario is that support for the group will wane.
· Who is his most likely successor as Director of the BBC World Service?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· If Cadbury buys Orangina, as appears likely, its position will be further enhanced.· Republicans appeared likely to gain a slightly larger majority in the Senate.· Even with Raimond van der Gouw quick to narrow the angle a goal appeared likely.· While it appeared likely the abortion clinic was the target, authorities would not rule out the possibility of other motives.· But the presence of six other candidates appeared likely to prevent either Bulatovic or Djukanovic from getting a majority.· The standoff over appointments and confirmations appears likely to deepen as the backlog grows.· But some pockets of increased activity appear likely to emerge.· While the House vote likely will be close, the Senate appears likely to agree with Clinton.
· But it seems likely to proceed.· It seemed likely to me that Oliver Ingraham wanted me to know there had been a better time for him.· A renewed onslaught against the mutuals seems likely, which could bring windfalls for millions of borrowers, savers and policyholders.· The bill was approved 64-32 by the Senate on Wednesday, and approval seems likely in the House by early March.· It seems likely that two separate parties will emerge in its place.· But this quadrant of Chelsea, more compact and closer to midtown, seems likely to develop more quickly.· George Bush's administration has not shown such a determination, and it does not seem likely to do so.· The error involved seems likely to be small relative to other uncertain-ties noted and, if so, is not serious.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- And as to the finish, well, they'd be more than happy for you to check the results for yourself.
- For the most part, gallery staffers are more than happy to answer questions and discuss artists.
- If the leader is open, receptive, and responsive to you, the others will more than likely follow suit.
- If this is not possible, then most printers are more than happy to visit enquirers.
- The accident, as it turns out, was a broken mirror and more than likely a shortage of time.
- The Cap'n had been to Jarman House once ... would be coming again more than likely.
- They spend the time getting space for some new person who more than likely will leave.
- We trooped along and he more than likely brought his mate John Grey along with him.
WORD FAMILYnounlikelihoodadjectivelikely ≠ unlikelyadverblikely
1probablymost/very likely I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation.(as) likely as not spoken (=very probably) As likely as not, the meeting will take place in the village pub.2not likely! spoken especially British English used to disagree strongly, or to say that something will not happen: ‘He said you’d be giving them a lift.’ ‘Not likely!’