Likelihood: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Old English 'lic ' meaning 'like' and 'hood', a suffix meaning 'state of'.
• In the 14th century, the term started to be used in English to express probability or chance.
• Related words like 'likely' can be traced back to the same roots, sharing the idea of similarity.

Statistics

• In statistics, likelihood refers to how probable a particular outcome is based on given data.
• It is often measured in probabilities ranging from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain).
• The concept plays a crucial role in Bayesian inference, where prior beliefs are updated with new evidence.

Everyday Usage

• People often use 'likelihood' in decision-making to express their confidence in different outcomes.
• 'In all likelihood' is a common phrase indicating something is very probable.
• The word encourages critical thinking, as it requires evaluating information before making a statement.

Psychology

• Cognitive biases can affect how individuals perceive likelihood, leading them to misjudge risks or outcomes.
• The availability heuristic is when people think something is more likely if they can easily remember examples of it.
• Understanding likelihood helps in assessing fears or anxieties, allowing one to differentiate between what is probable and what is unlikely.

Pop Culture

• Songs and movies often feature the concept of likelihood in plots revolving around chance and fate.
• Popular phrases like 'the odds are in your favor' relate to the idea of likelihood in everyday life.
• In literature, authors explore themes of fate versus free will by delving into the likelihood of events occurring.

With rank #4,925, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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