likelihood

American  

[lahyk-lee-hood] / ˈlaɪk liˌhʊd /

Or likeliness

noun

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  

/ ˈlaɪklɪˌnɪs, 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

• superlikelihood noun

Etymology

Origin of likelihood

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

Example Sentences

Beijing will have hoped that better diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran would reduce the likelihood for regional tensions.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The likelihood of a recession in the U.S. has risen to an uncomfortably high level of 40%, said Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, in an interview with Bloomberg.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

"It's a stepping stone to Mars, where we might have the most likelihood of finding evidence of past life, but it's also a Rosetta Stone for how other solar systems form."

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Mirae expects the domestic equity market to recover in April, but warns that oil-driven inflation may reduce the likelihood of near-term rate cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Using probability theory, I calculate that, given my assumption, the likelihood of this result is well below 5 percent, a commonly used “level of significance.”

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• possibility
• probability
• prospect
• tendency
• trend