likely
probably or apparently destined (usually followed by an infinitive): something not likely to happen.
seeming like truth, fact, or certainty; reasonably to be believed or expected; believable: a likely story.
seeming to fulfill requirements or expectations; apparently suitable: a likely place for a restaurant.
showing promise of achievement or excellence; promising: a fine, likely young man.
probably: We will likely stay home this evening.
Origin of likely
1usage note For likely
Other words for likely
Words Nearby likely
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use likely in a sentence
A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed Graham and Harrison each winning the backing of 48 percent of likely voters in the state.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall | Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 17, 2020 | Washington PostIf it’s good enough for likely half the cantinas in Mexico, it’s good enough for your Netflix party.
Sara Gideon, the Democratic speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, leads Collins, 54 percent to 42 percent, among likely voters in the Quinnipiac University poll, which was released Wednesday.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump | Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 16, 2020 | Washington PostMost likely that would be in the form of passage of the Equality Act.
How the Trump administration is getting around Bostock to allow anti-trans discrimination | Chris Johnson | September 16, 2020 | Washington BladePerhaps most notably, a poll released on Tuesday by Monmouth University found Biden up by 3 to 5 points among likely voters, depending on turnout.
Election Update: Where Biden And Trump Have Gained The Most Ground | Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com) | September 16, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight
“I'm deeply suspicious obviously because he went to China,” said the man-most-likely-to-accuse-you-of-being-a-spy, Dick Cheney.
Without Waiting for Proof, Edward Snowden Foes Begin Spreading Smears | Kirsten Powers | June 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIf not, then what happens to his case that Romney would be less-likely to spark a war with Iran?
All these most-likely-innocent people, subjected to such hard looks.
Etan Patz Has Been Missing 33 Years, and Solution Still Eludes Police | Lisa R. Cohen | April 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 50 likely-votes would be targeted by the right and face howling pressure.
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards seemed doomed to risk their presidencies on a likely-to-fail big bang health-care initiative.
But it is no use digging here; it was full five-and-twenty miles from here the likely-looking place.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend | Charles ReadeHe was a likely-lookin' chap enough, but very dark-complected an' sallow-like, with a bad eye, showin' a lot o' the white.
Earth's Enigmas | Charles G. D. RobertsThe feller said to him, seein' me drive up: 'That's a putty likely-lookin' hoss.
David Harum | Edward Noyes WestcottMy idea is, said David, that we get the Argo and sail round the island till we sight a likely-looking cliff.
Peter Cotterell's Treasure | Rupert Sargent HollandIt was a grand place for birds' nests, and we made very slow progress as we poked about, peering into every likely-looking spot.
The Fortunes of Philippa | Angela Brazil
British Dictionary definitions for likely
/ (ˈlaɪklɪ) /
(usually foll by an infinitive) tending or inclined; apt: likely to rain
probable: a likely result
believable or feasible; plausible
appropriate for a purpose or activity
having good possibilities of success: a likely candidate
dialect, mainly US attractive, agreeable, or enjoyable: her likely ways won her many friends
probably or presumably
as likely as not very probably
Origin of likely
1usage For likely
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
Browse