likely
1 of 2adjective
like·ly ˈlī-klē 
likelier; likeliest
1
: having a high probability of occurring or being true : very probable
rain is likely today
2
: apparently qualified : suitable
a likely place
3
: reliable, credible
a likely enough story
4
: promising
a likely candidate
5
: attractive
a likely child
likely
2 of 2adverb
: in all probability : probably
those who seek power will most likely wind up exercising it
Halton Arp
Halton Arp
Synonyms
Adjective
- probable
Adverb
- assumably
- doubtless
- presumably
- probably
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective That seems to be the most likely explanation. This looks like a likely spot for a picnic. They regard him as a likely candidate for the job. Adverb He'll very likely be late. “Will it rain tomorrow?” “Most likely.”
Recent Examples on the Web Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 Kay’s winds and rain are likely to also have an effect on California’s wildfire situation, which has worsened in recent days. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead Monday near the stabbing sites and authorities believe his brother and fellow suspect, Myles Sanderson, 30, is injured, on the run and likely in the provincial capital of Regina, said police chief Evan Bray. Rob Gillies And Robert Bumsted, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 Ramos is the third player ASU has lost for the season, following Matus and true freshman tight end Jacob Newell (leg), although Newell was not likely to have significant role this season. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 Either way, this isn't likely to have a big impact on other contentious issues standing between the US and China. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 Patients with high blood pressure or blood sugar, for example, may now be less likely to have their conditions under control—which after enough time can lead to all sorts of other ailments. Tim Requarth, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 Blaylock also is likely to have a college choice in baseball. Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 The Education Department said nearly 8 million borrowers are likely to have their loans forgiven automatically because the agency already has information about their income. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Sep. 2022 In recent years, Andrew's place within the royal family—and, likely, his relationship with his mother—have been complicated by his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as Virginia Roberts Giuffre's accusations against him. Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2022 In the wake of the widespread devastation and ecological havoc the Dixie fire caused, this small building is most likely the least of the park’s concerns. Hannah Kingsley-ma, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 By 2024, the market could swell to $41.6 billion, said Market Decipher, making likely a flood of NFT trademark applications. Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 No one remains from the original crew except the security guy who is more than likely a neutral party in all this. Ed Schrader, SPIN, 6 Sep. 2022 From the sounds of it, an answer likely will not come until the end of the week, and potentially not until game day. The Indianapolis Star, 6 Sep. 2022 Of course, your tiny dorm room likely isn’t going to offer expansive space for food storage, but there are a couple ways to creatively get around that. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 6 Sep. 2022 The Columbia River Gorge will see the brunt of these winds with gusts of 30-35 mph likely. oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Adjective
The outcome of the case, which turns on the novel legal question of whether the U.S. government can impose sanctions on publicly-available software code, is likely to have implications for the crypto industry for years to come. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 Kay’s winds and rain are likely to also have an effect on California’s wildfire situation, which has worsened in recent days. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead Monday near the stabbing sites and authorities believe his brother and fellow suspect, Myles Sanderson, 30, is injured, on the run and likely in the provincial capital of Regina, said police chief Evan Bray. Rob Gillies And Robert Bumsted, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 Ramos is the third player ASU has lost for the season, following Matus and true freshman tight end Jacob Newell (leg), although Newell was not likely to have significant role this season. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 Either way, this isn't likely to have a big impact on other contentious issues standing between the US and China. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 Patients with high blood pressure or blood sugar, for example, may now be less likely to have their conditions under control—which after enough time can lead to all sorts of other ailments. Tim Requarth, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 Blaylock also is likely to have a college choice in baseball. Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 The Education Department said nearly 8 million borrowers are likely to have their loans forgiven automatically because the agency already has information about their income. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 Adverb
This design element has always been polarizing, and the new one likely will be too. Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Sep. 2022 In recent years, Andrew's place within the royal family—and, likely, his relationship with his mother—have been complicated by his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as Virginia Roberts Giuffre's accusations against him. Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2022 In the wake of the widespread devastation and ecological havoc the Dixie fire caused, this small building is most likely the least of the park’s concerns. Hannah Kingsley-ma, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 By 2024, the market could swell to $41.6 billion, said Market Decipher, making likely a flood of NFT trademark applications. Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 No one remains from the original crew except the security guy who is more than likely a neutral party in all this. Ed Schrader, SPIN, 6 Sep. 2022 From the sounds of it, an answer likely will not come until the end of the week, and potentially not until game day. The Indianapolis Star, 6 Sep. 2022 Of course, your tiny dorm room likely isn’t going to offer expansive space for food storage, but there are a couple ways to creatively get around that. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 6 Sep. 2022 The Columbia River Gorge will see the brunt of these winds with gusts of 30-35 mph likely. oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Adverb
Middle English, from Old English gelīclic fitting (from gelīc like) and Old Norse glīkligr, līkligr, from glīkr like; akin to Old English gelīc
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing likely
Kids Definition
likely 1 of 2
adjective
like·ly ˈlī-klē
likelier; likeliest
1
: very possibly going to happen
That glass is likely to fall.
2
: seeming to be the truth : believable
That is the most likely explanation.
3
: giving hope of turning out well : promising
They found a likely spot for a picnic.
likely
2 of 2adverb
: without great doubt She will likely be elected class president.
likely 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in probable
having a high chance of occurring if you don't graduate from high school, your likely fate is a low-paying job Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- probable
- possible
- inevitable
- potential
- doubtless
- bound
- conceivable
- supposable
- necessary
- liable
- unavoidable
- sure
- imminent
- apt
- imaginable
- earthly
- inescapable
- certain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unlikely
- doubtful
- impossible
- questionable
- improbable
- dubious
- inconceivable
- unimaginable
2
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing Synonyms & Similar Words
- promising
- bright
- optimistic
- hopeful
- encouraging
- propitious
- rosy
- heartening
- fair
- auspicious
- doubtless
- golden
- upbeat
- roseate
- sure
- reassuring
- positive
- favorable
- good
- assured
- confident
- comforting
- cheering
- decisive
- rose-colored
- soothing
- bullish
- unhesitating
- beamish
- eupeptic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unlikely
- desperate
- dark
- discouraging
- hopeless
- pessimistic
- bleak
- depressing
- dismal
- gloomy
- doubtful
- unpromising
- dreary
- inauspicious
- uncertain
- disheartening
- negative
- dubious
- cheerless
- unpropitious
- unfavorable
- unencouraging
- downbeat
- grim
- gray
- comfortless
- grey
- bearish
- miserable
- wretched
- glum
- funereal
3
as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable we didn't find her excuse a very likely story Synonyms & Similar Words
- plausible
- probable
- credible
- possible
- compelling
- presumptive
- believable
- reasonable
- acceptable
- convincing
- creditable
- conclusive
- reliable
- effective
- satisfying
- practical
- telling
- conceivable
- strong
- persuasive
- decisive
- cogent
- imaginable
- dependable
- forceful
- trustworthy
- cogitable
- specious
- sophistic
- sophistical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unlikely
- impossible
- doubtful
- improbable
- incredible
- implausible
- unbelievable
- questionable
- ridiculous
- absurd
- dubious
- outlandish
- fantastic
- uncertain
- inconceivable
- preposterous
- unthinkable
- flimsy
- suspect
- fantastical
- far-fetched
- unsure
- unimaginable
- unplausible
- suspicious
- skeptical
- useless
- hopeless
- unworkable
4
as in pretty
very pleasing to look at a likely gal such as yourself should have no trouble getting a date Synonyms & Similar Words
- pretty
- attractive
- lovely
- beautiful
- good
- handsome
- cute
- gorgeous
- stunning
- taking
- seemly
- charming
- sightly
- desirable
- perfect
- fair
- delightful
- comely
- elegant
- fascinating
- appealing
- ravishing
- pleasant
- fetching
- goodly
- aesthetic
- glorious
- hot
- knockout
- sexy
- beauteous
- well-favored
- magnificent
- bonny
- flawless
- superb
- good-looking
- engaging
- drop-dead
- alluring
- bonnie
- cunning
- delicate
- exquisite
- glamorous
- prepossessing
- lovesome
- esthetic
- splendid
- aesthetical
- esthetical
- striking
- sublime
- presentable
- resplendent
- personable
- radiant
- seductive
- statuesque
- glamourous
- dainty
- prettyish
- toothsome
- showy
- flashy
- slick
- flamboyant
- glossy
- photogenic
- foxy
- snazzy
- luscious
- arresting
- hunky
- splashy
- nubile
- dishy
- studly
- eye-catching
- Junoesque
- pulchritudinous
- telegenic
- dollish
- showstopping
- zingy
- chocolate-box
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unattractive
- bad
- ugly
- plain
- terrible
- objectionable
- hideous
- horrible
- unpleasing
- disagreeable
- shocking
- unpleasant
- dreadful
- abhorrent
- grotesque
- unsightly
- repugnant
- uncomely
- homely
- loathsome
- offensive
- nasty
- ghastly
- abominable
- disgusting
- unlovely
- repulsive
- unhandsome
- revolting
- vile
- unappealing
- unbeautiful
- frightful
- unaesthetic
- repellent
- foul
- sickening
- ill-favored
- unpretty
- nauseating
- repellant
- unappetizing
- uncute
- unprepossessing
- unbecoming
- unimposing
- unshapely
- frumpy
- frumpish
likely
2 of 2adverb
as in probably
by reasonable assumption the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues Synonyms & Similar Words
- probably
- perhaps
- maybe
- presumably
- surely
- definitely
- certainly
- possibly
- doubtless
- definitively
- undoubtedly
- potentially
- assumably
- like as not
- conceivably
- reasonably
- clearly
- practically
- plausibly
- assuredly
- as like as not
- unquestionably
- positively
- perchance
- mayhap
- imaginably
- supposedly
- undeniably
- indubitably
- indisputably
- conclusively
- really
- decisively
- truly
- presumedly
- supposably
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improbably
- incredibly
- unbelievably
- implausibly
- inconceivably
- unthinkably
- colleaguing
- collect
- collect for the day
- collect on delivery
- collect up
- collectability
- collectable
- collectables
- collectanea
- collectaria
- collectarium
- collectariums
- collected
- collected edition
- collected up
- collectedly
- collectedness
- collectednesses
- collecter
- collectest
- collectibility
- collectible
- collectibles
- collecting
- collecting cell