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

He says evidence points to the opposite: These algorithms are likely to withstand most attacks by any kind of computer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

“It won’t change the overall endgame — just the pace will likely slow a bit,” Oliver Chambers, a senior portfolio manager at Clark Capital, said Friday about AI debt supply and the election results.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

Stockdale and Vitart said they did not know why the disruption came so early, but agreed the El Nino "could have been a factor in making it more likely."

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

It’s also likely, he said, that she will initiate a bond or a tax hike to raise money for sidewalks repairs, curb updates and other street improvements.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

“Isn’t it still most likely my mum was killed when the Germans attacked Warsaw?”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Raj Chetty, John Friedman and Jonah Rockoff found that students assigned more-effective teachers were likelier to attend college and earned more as adults.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

Meanwhile, he said, shoppers who are more budget-conscious today are likelier to opt for, say, cheaper jewelry that might be sold in malls or supermarket chains.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 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 on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, users were likelier to stumble across news while doing something else.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

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

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Nvidia has not yet explained why the price of a certain graphics card has jumped up 87%, but memory is the likeliest driver.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

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

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 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

The likeliest first objection is the most straightforward one: is the theory true?

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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Related Words

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

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