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

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

Slaughter said he found Defending Education likely to succeed on its 1st Amendment challenge, writing that the UC policy “compels speech and is viewpoint-based.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

“There will be a point where a bunch of artists express worry about what we’re doing here and we’ll likely ignore their concerns and release anyway.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

Cyber Correspondent Joe Tidy looks at some of the scenarios being imagined and assesses how likely they are.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

Their belief leads the stock market to be artificially depressed during October, which in turn means that investments made at the month’s low will quite likely show a profit by the end of the year.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

Somewhere in the woods, there’s a cacophony of yips—the runts most likely bungling the squirrel hunt.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

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

And the more new conditions a subscriber experienced, the likelier they were to switch to traditional Medicare, the study found.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

The opposing rulings created a circuit split, making it likelier that the issue will end up at the Supreme Court.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 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

Intelligent people are likelier than less intelligent ones to escape those causes of high mortality in traditional New Guinea societies.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The likeliest outcome for 2032 is the same pattern.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026

Film critic Amy Nicholson and film editor Joshua Rothkopf discuss the festival’s muted American presence, the likeliest awards contenders and more in their Cannes preview.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026

The Knicks’ hot streak, meanwhile, has convinced oddsmakers that New York is the likeliest team to represent the Eastern Conference on the championship stage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 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

Related Words

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