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

The researchers found that GLP-1 use was associated with a modest increase in the likelihood of ischemic optic neuropathy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

Markets will also parse updates on other U.S. economic data and a heavy slate of Fed speakers to gauge the likelihood of further Fed rate hikes this year, Grant says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Beyond hurricanes, El Niño is already bringing higher sea levels, and it increases the likelihood California will see a particularly wet winter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

The Met Office has said the current seasonal outlook suggests an increased likelihood of wetter than average conditions during autumn, in part due to the El Niño weather event.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

I could feel the likelihood of ever getting a trophy in the Big Creek display case evaporating.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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

In contemplating the likelihoods and possibilities of our circumstances, I probably suffered more than most of my fellow servants.

From My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass

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Related Words

• possibility
• probability
• prospect
• tendency
• trend

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