likely

American  

[lahyk-lee] / ˈlaɪk li /

adjective

likelier, likeliest

1. probably or apparently destined (usually followed by an infinitive).

   something not likely to happen.

2. seeming like truth, fact, or certainty; reasonably to be believed or expected; believable.

   a likely story.

3. seeming to fulfill requirements or expectations; apparently suitable.

   a likely place for a restaurant.

   Synonyms:

   appropriate

4. showing promise of achievement or excellence; promising.

   a fine, likely young man.

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adverb

1. probably.

   We will likely stay home this evening.

likely British  

/ ˈlaɪklɪ /

adjective

1. (usually foll by an infinitive) tending or inclined; apt

   likely to rain

2. probable

   a likely result

3. believable or feasible; plausible

4. appropriate for a purpose or activity

5. having good possibilities of success

   a likely candidate

6. dialect attractive, agreeable, or enjoyable

   her likely ways won her many friends

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adverb

1. probably or presumably

2. very probably

Usage

Likely in the senses “probably destined” and “probably” is often preceded by a qualifying word like very, more, or quite: The board is very likely to turn down the request. The new system will quite likely increase profits. However, despite statements to the contrary in some usage guides, likely in these senses is standard without such a qualifier in all varieties of English: It will likely be a bitter debate. The shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.

Likely as an adverb is preceded by another, intensifying adverb, as in it will very likely rain or it will most likely rain. Its use without an intensifier, as in it will likely rain is regarded as unacceptable by most users of British English, though it is common in colloquial US English

Etymology

Origin of likely

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English likli, from Old Norse līkligr; see like ¹, -ly

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Explanation

If something's probably true, it's likely. When you walk in the rain, it's likely that your shoes will get wet. Likely is an adjective that's perfect for describing things you can imagine happening, such as the likely destination of next summer's vacation. Any time that something is in the cards, or bound to happen, you can explain that it's likely to happen. Though it's rarely used this way today in American English, one meaning of likely since the 15th century has been "good looking or attractive."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

likely likelier likeliest

The experiments revealed that the nightjar's broad wing tips, which likely help it maneuver during slow flight, become a disadvantage as the bird flies faster.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

And a later district filing to the state acknowledged that more than 500 people who worked for district contractors likely had Social Security numbers and other confidential information exposed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Vatican watchers say that Leo -- who spent two decades as a missionary in Peru -- is anxious to make the long journey, but will likely follow the recommendations of his doctors.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

“It’s likely that if AI really slows down, it will be really bad on the economy.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

And with all this talk of hanging, how could she dream of accusing a poor waif of a child, who likely had no one to teach him right from wrong to begin with?

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Mainers tend to be socially liberal and are 10 percentage points likelier to be religiously unaffiliated than the national average.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Granite Staters are considerably more secular than Mainers—19 points likelier to be religiously unaffiliated than the nation as a whole.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The more Oura’s rings succeed in the market, the likelier these tech giants are to launch their own.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

But plenty of pop stars, from Madonna to Britney Spears, have changed their brand as they age without losing faith from their fans, which means the likelier explanation for Swift’s dip in popularity is financial.

From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026

But, surely, it was likelier my bag'd be here than anywhere else in the wood.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Currently, the likeliest answer, by some distance, is Manchester United.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The likeliest outcome for 2032 is the same pattern.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026

Many voters are still getting to know Becerra, who is the likeliest candidate to be California’s next governor.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

Like him, two other regional Fed presidents, Beth Hammack and Lorie Logan, supported the decision to hold rates steady but not the bank's signal that a rate cut was their next likeliest move.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

He figured I’d be the likeliest to grass.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

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Related Words

• acceptable
• expected
• fair
• feasible
• inclined
• possible
• prone
• reasonable

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