likely

1 of 2

adjective

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 2

adverb

: in all probability : probably

those who seek power will most likely wind up exercising it

—Halton Arp

Synonyms

Adjective

• probable

Adverb

• assumably
• doubtless
• presumably
• probably

Examples of likely in a Sentence

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

Adjective

State of play: Harris' visit comes less than two weeks before the Nov. 5 election and days after an Oct. 22 AJC/University of Georgia poll found Trump leads Harris 47% to 43%, outside the margin of error of 3.1%, among 1,000 likely voters in Georgia. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024

McDonald’s identifies the likely source of a deadly E. coli outbreak. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024

Adverb

Thunberg’s vulnerability, combined with her resolve, represented both the fragility and the strength of our planet, and likely held up a mirror to the inner child within all of us who feels helpless in the face of overwhelming challenges. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

And Oscar Mayer will likely end up being sold to a company that specializes in meat production and will have ideas on how to operate it more efficiently. —Richard Collings, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024

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

• likely-looking
• more than likely
• most likely
• not bloody likely!
• not likely

Kids Definition

likely

1 of 2 adjective

like·​ly ˈlī-klē 

likelier; likeliest

1

: very possibly going to happen

it's likely to start raining any time

2

: seeming to be the truth : believable

a likely story

3

: giving hope of turning out well : promising

a likely spot for a picnic

a likely looking customer

likely

2 of 2 adverb

: without great doubt : probably

the first loaves of bread people made were likely hard and flat