Lexic.us

Definition of Likely

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

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

3. Adjective. Likely but not certain to be or become true or real. "He foresaw a probable loss"

4. Adjective. Expected to become or be; in prospect. "Potential clients"

5. Adjective. Within the realm of credibility. "Not a very likely excuse"

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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