likelihood

American  

[lahyk-lee-hood] / ˈlaɪk liˌhʊd /

Or likeliness

noun

• likelihoods
  plural

1. the state of being likely or probable; probability.

2. a probability or chance of something.

   There is a strong likelihood of his being elected.

3. Archaic. indication of a favorable end; promise.

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likelihood British  

/ ˈlaɪklɪˌhʊd /

noun

1. the condition of being likely or probable; probability

2. something that is probable

3. statistics the probability of a given sample being randomly drawn regarded as a function of the parameters of the population. The likelihood ratio is the ratio of this to the maximized likelihood See also maximum likelihood

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superlikelihood
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• likelihoods
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of likelihood

First recorded in 1350–1400, likelihood is from the Middle English word liklihood. See likely, -hood

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Explanation

The likelihood of something means the odds that it will happen, or how likely a particular outcome is. Your likelihood of winning the lottery is pretty slim. If you figured out the likelihood of winning the lottery before you bought a scratch ticket, you might end up spending your money on something else. Likelihood indicates probability or chance. The likelihood that you'll convince your stubborn dog to get in your car completely depends on how many dog treats you've got in your pocket.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

likelihood likelihoods

Policies for AI risks are often underwritten on the basis of simulation testing of the likelihood of errors, creating a de facto audit of the underlying tech.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Another prediction market, Polymarket, was giving the same likelihood.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Beginning around midlife, muscles gradually lose strength and function, making everyday activities more difficult and increasing the likelihood of falls and broken bones.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Rauh told me by email that Solana’s purported interviews “are not part of the analysis” of the likelihood of billionaire flight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

“Do you know the likelihood of having two sets of fraternal twins, Tuti? One in three thousand. One. In three thousand.”

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

We do not ascribe likelihoods to either scenario.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

Humanoids tasked with performing multiple jobs use artificial intelligence and are “probabilistic,” meaning they operate on statistical likelihoods, not certainty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

The danger arises when people believe that the model is retrieving truth rather than generating likelihoods.

From Salon ● May 12, 2026

Defense departments around the world are preparing for higher likelihoods of conflict.

From Barron's ● Feb. 28, 2026

You bring two reasons to prove that in convicting witches likelihoods and presumptions ought to be of force more than about thieves or murderers.

From Witch, Warlock, and Magician Historical Sketches of Magic and Witchcraft in England and Scotland by W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport) Adams

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Related Words

• possibility
• probability
• prospect
• tendency
• trend

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