Likelihoods: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when discussing the potential outcomes of events, often in a formal or technical setting.

• The likelihoods of different economic scenarios must be evaluated before making a policy decision

Appropriate for scientific, mathematical, or technical discussions where precise measurements of likelihood are used.

• In statistics, we calculate probabilities to understand data trends
• The probabilities of different genetic traits are important in biology

Ideal for casual conversations or everyday language, often dealing with hopeful situations or minor risks.

• What are my chances of getting the job? There are high chances of rain this afternoon

Commonly used in gambling, statistics, or where a numerical probability is often given. Sometimes implies a more calculated or analytical approach.

• The odds of winning the lottery are very low
• Given the odds, investing in that stock seems risky

This term is used to describe the chances or odds of something happening, generally in a statistical or probabilistic context.

• The likelihood of rain tomorrow is quite high.
• You need to consider the likelihoods of various outcomes before making a decision.

Plausibility is used to describe how reasonable or believable something appears. It does not necessarily deal with statistical probability, but rather with the surface-level believability of a scenario or statement.

• The plot of the movie stretched the bounds of plausibility.
• She questioned the plausibility of his excuses.

Credibility refers to the trustworthiness or believability of a source or claim. It is often used in contexts involving testimony, information, or character assessments. Can imply a positive connotation.

• The witness's credibility was questioned during the trial.
• Her credibility as a journalist has been established over many years.

Probability is often used in a mathematical or statistical sense to express the likelihood of a certain event happening. Typically used in scientific, academic, or analytical contexts.

• The probability of drawing an ace from a deck of cards is 1 in 52.
• We calculated the probability of different outcomes using statistical models.