Likely: meaning, definitions and examples

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likely

 

[ หˆlaษชkli ]

Adjective / Adverb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

probability

Probable or expected to happen or be true.

Synonyms

expected, probable, probable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
likely

This word is used when there is a good chance that something will happen, but it is not certain. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.

  • It's likely to rain tomorrow.
  • She is likely to get the job.
probable

This word is used to indicate a high likelihood of something occurring. It can sound a bit more formal or technical compared to 'likely'.

  • It's probable that she will win the election.
  • The outcome seems probable given the current circumstances.
expected

This word is used when something is considered probable to happen based on plans or patterns. It often has a basis in logical reasoning or past experiences.

  • The train is expected to arrive at 3 PM.
  • It is expected that the new law will improve road safety.

Examples of usage

  • It is likely that he will be late for the meeting.
  • There is a likely chance of rain this afternoon.
Context #2 | Adverb

probability

In all probability; probably.

Synonyms

in all likelihood, probably.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
likely

Repeated for correction. Should not be here twice.

probably

Use 'probably' when making a casual or informal prediction about something that is more than 50% probable. Itโ€™s a common word in everyday conversation.

  • She will probably come to the party
  • They probably forgot to send the email
in all likelihood

This phrase is used to make a more formal or emphatic prediction about something that is very probable. Itโ€™s often seen in written texts, reports, and formal speech.

  • In all likelihood, the project will be completed by next month
  • In all likelihood, they will accept the offer

Examples of usage

  • She will most likely arrive after 6 pm.
  • It will likely be sunny tomorrow.

Translations

Translations of the word "likely" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น provรกvel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เคญเคพเคตเคฟเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช wahrscheinlich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kemungkinan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะนะผะพะฒั–ั€ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ prawdopodobny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ใ‚Šใใ†ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท probable

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ probable

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท muhtemel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์žˆ์„ ๋ฒ•ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุญุชู…ู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pravdฤ›podobnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pravdepodobnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฏ่ƒฝ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ verjeten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ lรญklegur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‹า›ั‚ะธะผะฐะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒ•แƒแƒ แƒแƒฃแƒ“แƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ehtimal

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ probable

Etymology

The word 'likely' originated from the Old English word 'gelic', which means similar or alike. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to express probability or expectation. The use of 'likely' in English can be traced back to the 14th century, where it was used to indicate likelihood or probability. The word has since become a commonly used term in everyday language to express the chance of something happening.

See also: alike, alikeness, dislike, disliked, likable, like, likelihood, liken, likeness, likewise, liking, unlike, unlikeliness.

Word Frequency Rank

At #565 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.