Word forms: comparative likelier, superlative likeliest
1. adjective
You use likely to indicate that something is probably the case or will probably happen in a particular situation.
Experts say a 'yes' vote is still the likely outcome.
If this is your first baby, it's far more likely that you'll get to the hospitaltoo early.
Francis thought it likely John still loved her.
Synonyms: probable, expected, anticipated, odds-on More Synonyms of likely
Likely is also an adverb.
Profit will most likely have risen by about £25 million.
Very likely he'd told them he had American business interests.
2. adjective
If someone or something is likelyto do a particular thing, they will very probably do it.
In the meantime the war of nerves seems likely to continue.
Adolescents who watched more than two hours of TV a day were much more likely tobe overweight.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A likely person, place, or thing is one that will probably be suitable for a particular purpose.
At one point he had seemed a likely candidate to become Prime Minister.
We aimed the microscope at a likely looking target.
Synonyms: appropriate, promising, pleasing, fit More Synonyms of likely
4.
See not likely
More Synonyms of likely
likely in British English
(ˈlaɪklɪ)
adjective
1. (usually foll by an infinitive)
tending or inclined; apt
likely to rain
2.
probable
a likely result
3.
believable or feasible; plausible
4.
appropriate for a purpose or activity
5.
having good possibilities of success
a likely candidate
6. dialect, mainly US
attractive, agreeable, or enjoyable
her likely ways won her many friends
adverb
7.
probably or presumably
8. as likely as not
▶ USAGE Likely as an adverb is preceded by another, intensifying adverb, as in it will very likely rain or it will most likely rain. Its use without an intensifier, as in it will likely rain is regarded as unacceptable by most users of British English, though it is commonin colloquial US English
Word origin
C14: from Old Norse līkligr
likely in American English
(ˈlaɪkli)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈlikelier or ˈlikeliest
1.
apparently true to the facts; credible; probable
a likely cause
2.
seeming as if it would happen or might happen; reasonably to be expected; apparently destined
it is likely to rain
3.
such as will probably be satisfactory or rewarding; suitable
a likely choice for the job
4.
having good prospects; promising
a likely lad
5. Dialectal
attractive; agreeable
adverbWord forms: ˈlikelier or ˈlikeliest
6.
probably
she will very likely go
SYNONYMY NOTE: likely suggests probability or an eventuality that can reasonably be expected [he's not likely to win]; liable, apt1 are loosely or informally used equivalents of , likely, but in strict discrimination, , liable implies exposure or susceptibility to something undesirable [you're liable to be killed if you play with firearms] and apt1 suggests a natural or habitual inclination or tendency [such people are always apt to be fearful]; prone also suggests a propensity or predisposition to something that seems almost inevitable[she's prone to have accidents]
OPPOSITES: unlikely, indisposed
Word origin
ME likly, prob. aphetic < OE geliclic (or < ? ON likligr): see like1 & -ly1
Examples of 'likely' in a sentence
likely
But all these possibilities should be weighed against the likely outcome.
The Sun (2016)
You are also likely to move faster.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Those given the training were less likely to search when stopping a member of the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You are more likely to get an understanding reaction.
The Sun (2016)
These tend to be the ones most likely to cut their dividend payouts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Men were more likely to say that they had less rest than the average.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Less dramatic and more likely explanations are possible, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Things are not likely to improve at the Amex tomorrow.
The Sun (2016)
He says there are likely to be many companies that do not realise they are working on a product that may qualify for the relief.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Nice is also keen to further public understanding about antibiotic use, with students being especially likely to fail to finish courses or share them with friends.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He is still likely to miss at least four months but not the whole campaign.
The Sun (2008)
This is especially likely to cause problems in the first few months.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It actually makes the business unbalanced and likely to be out of control.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
They are less likely to measure up well.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The most likely explanation is that when we fast our body burns stores of fat for energy.
The Sun (2014)
Which one is likely to be more effective in reducing violence?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They were also more likely to retain their mental abilities further into old age.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Not that the result looked likely at any stage bar the final yards.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Not bad at a time when the world economy is likely to have actually declined.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That trickle of fines is likely to become a tsunami.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Why bother trawling charity shops when your friends are much more likely to have things you like?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They know that their own disruption may make this outcome more likely.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The winner is likely to come from outside the company.
The Sun (2013)
They also earn more money and are less likely to be unemployed.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
There are likely to be many more job changes after the general election.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The expert said some unknown mutation was the most likely explanation.
The Sun (2010)
The more contact one has the more likely one is to be able to dig deeper.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
They are also more likely to have noticed that human rights are being squeezed.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Those turning to the book for advice on how to get ahead in business are likely to be disappointed.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The answer is likely still no.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The false autumn was likely to be especially noticeable in trees in big cities such as London.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Keeping secrets is risky and you're likely to get found out in the worst possible circumstances.
The Sun (2007)
In other languages
likely
British English: likely /ˈlaɪklɪ/ ADJECTIVE
You use likely to indicate that something is probably true or will probably happen in a particular situation.
When people see that something actually works, they are much more likely to accept change.
American English: likely
Arabic: مُحْتَمَلٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: provável
Chinese: 很可能的
Croatian: vjerojatno
Czech: pravděpodobný
Danish: sandsynlig
Dutch: waarschijnlijk
European Spanish: probable
Finnish: todennäköinen
French: probable
German: wahrscheinlich
Greek: πιθανός
Italian: probabile
Japanese: ･･･しそうな
Korean: 있을 법한
Norwegian: sannsynlig
Polish: prawdopodobny
European Portuguese: provável
Romanian: probabil
Russian: возможный
Latin American Spanish: probable
Swedish: sannolik
Thai: เป็นไปได้
Turkish: olası
Ukrainian: ймовірний
Vietnamese: có thể xảy ra
Chinese translation of 'likely'
likely
(ˈlaɪklɪ)
adj
(= probable) 很可能的 (hěn kěnéng de)
⇒ A "yes" vote is still the likely outcome.结果仍很有可能是赞成票。 (Jiéguǒ réng hěn yǒu kěnéng shì zànchéngpiào.)
[person, place, thing]合适(適)的 (héshì de)
⇒ He seemed a likely candidate to become Prime Minister.他似乎是成为首相的合适人选。 (Tā sìhū shì chéngwéi shǒuxiàng de héshì rénxuǎn.)
it is likely that ... 有可能 ... (yǒu kěnéng ... )
to be likely to do sth很有可能做某事 (hěn yǒu kěnéng zuò mǒushì)
not likely! (inf) 太不可能！ (Tài bù kěnéng!)
1 (adjective)
Definition
tending or inclined
People are more likely to accept change if they understand it.
Synonyms
inclined
She was inclined to self-pity.
disposed
I might be disposed to like him in other circumstances.
prone
For all her experience, she was still prone to nerves.
liable
James is liable to make costly mistakes.
tending
apt
She was apt to raise her voice and wave her hands about.
2 (adjective)
Definition
probable
A `yes' vote is the likely outcome.
Synonyms
probable
It is probable that food prices will increase.
expected
Profits last month were well above the expected figure.
anticipated
odds-on
She is the odds-on favourite to win the contest.
on the cards
to be expected
3 (adjective)
It's likely that he still has it.
Synonyms
plausible
That explanation seems entirely plausible to me.
possible
It's just possible that he was trying to put me off the trip.
reasonable
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
credible
This claim seems perfectly credible to me.
feasible
The deal was not economically feasible.
believable
believable evidence
verisimilar
4 (adjective)
Definition
appropriate for a purpose or activity
He seemed a likely candidate to become Prime Minister.
Synonyms
appropriate
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
promising
a new and promising stage in the negotiations
pleasing
fit
You're not fit to be in charge of this company.
fair
favourite
qualified
suitable
She had no other dress suitable for the occasion.
acceptable
a most acceptable present
proper
In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.
hopeful
agreeable
more agreeable and better paid occupations
up-and-coming
befitting
(adverb)
Definition
probably or presumably
Very likely he'd told them of his business interest.
Synonyms
probably
They probably won't make this plan public until July.
no doubt
No doubt I'm biased.
presumably
This spear is presumably the murder weapon.
in all probability
like enough (informal)
doubtlessly
like as not (informal)
Usage note
When using likely as an adverb, it is usual to precede it by another, intensifying, adverb such as very or most, for example it will most likely rain. The use of likely as an adverb without an intensifier, for example it will likely rain, is considered nonstandard in British English, though it is common in colloquial U.S. English.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acceptable
a most acceptable present
Synonyms
pleasant,
pleasing,
welcome,
satisfying,
grateful,
refreshing,
delightful,
gratifying,
agreeable,
pleasurable
in the sense of agreeable
Definition
pleasant and enjoyable
more agreeable and better paid occupations
Synonyms
pleasant,
pleasing,
satisfying,
acceptable,
delightful,
enjoyable,
gratifying,
pleasurable,
congenial,
to your liking,
to your taste,
likable or likeable
in the sense of apt
Definition
having a specified tendency
She was apt to raise her voice and wave her hands about.
Synonyms
inclined,
likely,
ready,
disposed,
prone,
liable,
given,
predisposed,
of a mind
Synonyms of 'likely'
likely
Explore 'likely' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of believable
believable evidence
Synonyms
credible,
possible,
likely,
acceptable,
reliable,
authentic,
probable,
plausible,
imaginable,
trustworthy,
creditable
in the sense of credible
Definition
capable of being believed
This claim seems perfectly credible to me.
Synonyms
believable,
possible,
likely,
reasonable,
probable,
plausible,
conceivable,
imaginable,
tenable,
thinkable,
supposable,
verisimilar
in the sense of disposed
Definition
willing or eager (to do something)
I might be disposed to like him in other circumstances.
Synonyms
inclined,
given,
likely,
subject,
ready,
prone,
liable,
apt,
predisposed,
tending towards,
of a mind to
in the sense of expected
Profits last month were well above the expected figure.
Synonyms
anticipated,
wanted,
promised,
looked-for,
predicted,
forecast,
awaited,
hoped-for,
counted on,
long-awaited
in the sense of feasible
Definition
able to be done
The deal was not economically feasible.
Synonyms
practicable,
possible,
reasonable,
viable,
workable,
achievable,
attainable,
realizable,
likely
in the sense of fit
Definition
worthy or suitable
You're not fit to be in charge of this company.
Synonyms
appropriate,
qualified,
suitable,
competent,
right,
becoming,
meet (archaic),
seemly,
trained,
able,
prepared,
fitting,
fitted,
ready,
skilled,
correct,
deserving,
capable,
adapted,
proper,
equipped,
good enough,
adequate,
worthy,
convenient,
apt,
well-suited,
expedient,
apposite
in the sense of liable
Definition
probable or likely
James is liable to make costly mistakes.
Synonyms
likely,
tending,
inclined,
disposed,
prone,
apt
in the sense of no doubt
Definition
almost certainly
No doubt I'm biased.
Synonyms
certainly,
surely,
probably,
of course,
admittedly,
doubtless,
unquestionably,
assuredly,
doubtlessly
in the sense of odds-on
Definition
having a better than even chance of winning
She is the odds-on favourite to win the contest.
Synonyms
likely,
expected,
anticipated,
probable,
on the cards
in the sense of possible
Definition
feasible but less than probable
It's just possible that he was trying to put me off the trip.
Synonyms
conceivable,
likely,
credible,
plausible,
hypothetical,
imaginable,
believable,
thinkable,
Po$Ebl
Additional synonyms
in the sense of presumably
Definition
one supposes or guesses
This spear is presumably the murder weapon.
Synonyms
it would seem,
probably,
likely,
apparently,
most likely,
seemingly,
doubtless,
on the face of it,
in all probability,
in all likelihood,
doubtlessly
in the sense of promising
Definition
likely to succeed or turn out well
a new and promising stage in the negotiations
Synonyms
encouraging,
likely,
bright,
reassuring,
hopeful,
favourable,
rosy,
auspicious,
propitious,
full of promise
in the sense of prone
Definition
having a tendency to be affected by or do something
For all her experience, she was still prone to nerves.
Synonyms
liable,
given,
subject,
inclined,
tending,
bent,
disposed,
susceptible,
apt,
predisposed
in the sense of proper
Definition
correct in behaviour
In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.