likelihood

or like·li·ness

[lahyk-lee-hoo d]

See more synonyms for likelihood on Thesaurus.com

noun

the state of being likely or probable; probability.
a probability or chance of something: There is a strong likelihood of his being elected.
Archaic. indication of a favorable end; promise.

Origin of likelihood

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

Related formssu·per·like·li·hood, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for likelihood

Contemporary Examples

Having a criminal record can reduce the likelihood of getting a callback or job offer by 50 percent.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside
Justin Rohrlich
January 3, 2015
In all likelihood this last option is what we will get for the foreseeable future.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead
Dean Obeidallah
January 2, 2015
The grand jury will in all likelihood side with Wilson here.
Why Darren Wilson Will Walk
Dean Obeidallah
November 22, 2014
In all likelihood, the pronouncement of death will likely include even more gray area in the future.
What It’s Like to Wake Up Dead
Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad
November 21, 2014
For the overwhelming majority of people in this country, the likelihood of contracting it is fleetingly small.
Parents’ Ebola Panic Is Taking Over My Clinic
Russell Saunders
October 15, 2014

Historical Examples

But be this as it may, there is a present likelihood of room for glorious mischief.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
The likelihood that it might be necessary to sacrifice the ships had been foreseen.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
Robert Southey
Debby was thinking of the pork, and the likelihood of its being properly diversified.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
Then, in all sincerity, she foresaw the likelihood of defeat.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
What likelihood of corrupting a man who has no hope, no ambition?
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for likelihood

likelihood

likeliness (ˈlaɪklɪˌnɪs)

noun

the condition of being likely or probable; probability
something that is probable
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 likelihoodSee also maximum likelihood

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for likelihood

n.

late 14c., "resemblance, similarity," from likely + -hood. Meaning "probability" is from mid-15c.

likelihood

or like·li·ness

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for likelihood

Contemporary Examples

Having a criminal record can reduce the likelihood of getting a callback or job offer by 50 percent.

In all likelihood this last option is what we will get for the foreseeable future.

The grand jury will in all likelihood side with Wilson here.

In all likelihood, the pronouncement of death will likely include even more gray area in the future.

For the overwhelming majority of people in this country, the likelihood of contracting it is fleetingly small.

Historical Examples

But be this as it may, there is a present likelihood of room for glorious mischief.

The likelihood that it might be necessary to sacrifice the ships had been foreseen.

Debby was thinking of the pork, and the likelihood of its being properly diversified.

Then, in all sincerity, she foresaw the likelihood of defeat.

What likelihood of corrupting a man who has no hope, no ambition?

likelihood

likeliness (ˈlaɪklɪˌnɪs)

Word Origin and History for likelihood

n.

Origin of likelihood