likely

(līk'lē)
adj., -li·er, -li·est.

1. Possessing or displaying the qualities or characteristics that make something probable: They are likely to become angry with him.
2. Within the realm of credibility; plausible: not a very likely excuse.
3. Apparently appropriate or suitable: There were several likely candidates for the job.
4. Apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome; promising: a likely topic for investigation.
5. Attractive; pleasant: found a likely spot under a shady tree for the picnic.

adv. Usage Problem
Probably.

[Middle English likly, from Old English gelīclīc (from gelīc, similar) and from Old Norse līkligr (from līkr, similar).]

USAGE NOTE   Used as an adverb likely is most commonly preceded by a modifier such as very or quite: He will quite likely require some help with his classes. But the unmodified use of likely is common enough in educated writing, and though it might be better avoided in highly formal style, it should not be regarded as incorrect: They'll likely buy a new car this year. See Usage Notes at liable.

View more Literature & Language videos

1. As an adverb, likely needs the support of a qualifying or intensifying word such as more, quite, or very (They've quite likely left by now / It's more likely a toadstool), whereas in American English it often stands alone:

It is possible to predict that within a few years the microfiche likely will move into the study and home—Publishers' Weekly, 1971

While the population has likely increased in the past couple of decades, many researchers point out that the animals are still in jeopardy—Defenders of Wildlife, 2004 [Old English (up to 1150)C].

2. For use of apt, liable, and likely, see apt.

Previous:	likeable, like verb., like
Next:	likewise, limey, limy, limit

adjective

1. Having a chance of happening or being true: contingent, possible, probable. See likely/unlikely.
2. Based on probability or presumption: assumptive, presumable, presumptive, probable, prospective. Idioms: taken for granted. See belief/unbelief, likely/unlikely.
3. Capable of being anticipated, considered, or imagined: conceivable, earthly, imaginable, mortal, possible, thinkable. Idioms: humanly possible, within theboundsrangerealmof possibility. See possible/impossible.
4. Inspiring confidence or hope: cheering, encouraging, heartening, hopeful, promising. See help/harm/harmless.
5. Having or showing a tendency or likelihood: apt, disposed, given, inclined, liable, prone. See likely/unlikely.

adj

Definition: probable, apt, hopeful
Antonyms: implausible, improbable, inapt, unforeseeable, unlikely

adv

Definition: probably
Antonyms: improbably, unlikely

IN BRIEF: Has a good chance of being the case or of coming about.

People are more likely to believe a quote if it is anonymous. — Unknown

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

For a list of words related to likely, see:

• Maximizers and Superlatives

---

See words rhyming with "likely."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Likely.

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - sandsynlig, trolig, rimelig, lovende, passende
adv. - sandsynligvis, troligt, rimeligt, lovende, passende

idioms:

• as likely as not    rimeligvis, formodentlig, sandsynligvis, højst sandsynligt
• not likely    nej, du kan tro nej

Nederlands (Dutch)
waarschijnlijk, denkelijk, aannemelijk, geloofwaardig, veelbelovend, gunstig

Français (French)
adj. - probable, plausible, prometteur, potentiel
adv. - probablement, vraisemblablement

idioms:

• as likely as not    probablement, vraisemblablement
• not likely    (GB) que tu crois (excl), jamais de la vie (fam) (excl)

Deutsch (German)
adj. - wahrscheinlich, voraussichtlich, geeignet, glaubhaft
adv. - wahrscheinlich

idioms:

• as likely as not    höchstwahrscheinlich
• not likely    unwahrscheinlich

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - (πολύ) πιθανός, ενδεχόμενος, αληθοφανής
adv. - πιθανώς, ίσως

idioms:

• as likely as not    πιθανότατα
• not likely    αποκλείεται!

Italiano (Italian)
probabile, probabilmente, plausibile, plausibilmente

idioms:

• as likely as not    più si che no
• not likely    non è probabile

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - provável
adv. - provavelmente

idioms:

• as likely as not    provavelmente
• not likely    sem possibilidade

Русский (Russian)
вероятный, правдоподобный, подходящий, вероятно

idioms:

• as likely as not    не исключено
• not likely    маловероятно

Español (Spanish)
adj. - probable, verosímil, apropiado, creíble
adv. - probablemente, apropiadamente

idioms:

• as likely as not    a lo mejor, probablemente
• not likely    poco probable

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - sannolik, antaglig, trolig, rimlig, lämplig, passande, ägnad, lovande, tänkbar
adv. - sannolikt, troligen, troligtvis, antagligen

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
有可能的, 前途有望的, 合适的, 或许, 很可能

idioms:

• as likely as not    很可能
• not likely    不太可能

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 有可能的, 前途有望的, 合適的
adv. - 或許, 很可能

idioms:

• as likely as not    很可能
• not likely    不太可能

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 있을 법한 상태, ~할 것 같은
adv. - 아마, 심중팔구

idioms:

• as likely as not    아마 ~일 것이다

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - ありそうな, 本当らしい, …しそうな, 見込みのある, 有望な, 適当な
adv. - たぶん, おそらく

idioms:

• as likely as not    おそらく～だろう
• not likely    いやだ, とんでもない

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) من المحتمل تماما, إحتمال فرضي, محتمل, قابل للتصديق, مرجح, ملائم (ظرف) واعد, مرجو, منتظر بخاصه, جذاب, على الأرجح‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮סביר, עשוי, עלול, צפוי, מתקבל על הדעת, הולם, מתאים, אפשרי‬
adv. - ‮כנראה‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.