Definition of Likely

1. Adjective. Has a good chance of being the case or of coming about. "Likely candidates for the job"

Attributes: Likelihood, Likeliness
Similar to: Apt, Liable, Probable, Promising
Also: Possible
Derivative terms: Likeliness
Antonyms: Unlikely

2. Adverb. With considerable certainty; without much doubt. "In all likelihood we are headed for war"

3. Adjective. Likely but not certain to be or become true or real. "He foresaw a probable loss"
Exact synonyms: Probable
Similar to: Equiprobable, Presumptive, Verisimilar
Derivative terms: Likeliness, Probability
Antonyms: Improbable

4. Adjective. Expected to become or be; in prospect. "Potential clients"
Exact synonyms: Potential
Similar to: Prospective
Derivative terms: Likeliness, Potency, Potentiality

5. Adjective. Within the realm of credibility. "Not a very likely excuse"
Similar to: Believable, Credible

Definition of Likely

1. a. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story.

2. adv. In all probability; probably.

Definition of Likely

1. Adjective. probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring ¹

2. Adjective. probable; Possessing or displaying the qualities or characteristics that make something probable ¹

3. Adjective. appropriate, suitable; believable; having a good potential ¹

4. Adjective. plausible; Within the realm of credibility ¹

5. Adjective. promising; Apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome ¹

6. Adjective. attractive; pleasant ¹

7. Adjective. (context: as predicate followed by ''to'' and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined. ¹

8. Adverb. (obsolete) Similarly. ¹

9. Adverb. Probably. ¹

10. Noun. Something or somebody considered likely. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Likely

1. probable [adj -LIER, -LIEST] - See also: probable

Lexicographical Neighbors of Likely

likeful
likehood
likehoods
likejacking
likelemba
likeless
likelier
likelies
likeliest
likelihood
likelihood functions
likelihoods
likelily
likeliness
likelinesses
likely (current term)
likely story
likeminded
likemindedness
liken
likened
likeness
likenessed
likenesses
likenessing
likening
likens
liker
likers
likes

Literary usage of Likely

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (1876)
"And she is not likely to refuse such prospects as you can offer her." " The father and mother would let you do any thing you liked with them. ..."

2. Around the world in eighty days by Jules Verne (1874)
"IN WHICH A CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE WHICH SEEMS likely TO COST PHILEAS FOGG DEAR. PHILEAS FOGG, having shut the door of his house at half- past eleven, ..."

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