likely

English Online Dictionary. What means likely‎? What does likely mean?

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪkli/
• Rhymes: -aɪkli
• Hyphenation: like‧ly

Etymology 1

From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“likely”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *līkalīkaz, equivalent to like +‎ -ly (adjectival suffix).

Adjective

likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely)

1. Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.
2. (as predicate, followed by to and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.
3. Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.

4. Plausible; within the realm of credibility.
5. Leading with high probability to some specified outcome.

6. (archaic) Attractive; pleasant.

7. (obsolete) Similar; like; alike.

Synonyms

• (as predicate, followed by "to" and infinitive): liable

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

likely (plural likelies)

1. Something or somebody considered likely.

Etymology 2

From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċe (“equally”) and Old Norse líkliga, glíkliga (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *līkalīka, equivalent to like +‎ -ly (adverbial suffix).

Adverb

likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely) (US)

1. Probably.

   Synonym: see synonyms at probably

   Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.   =   He’ll likely win the election in this economy.   =   He likely will win the election in this economy.

   Most likely he’ll win the election in this economy.   =   He’ll most likely win the election in this economy.   =   He most likely will win the election in this economy.
2. (obsolete) Similarly.

Usage notes

• The adverb is more common in US English than in British English.
• As an adverb, likely is often preceded by a modifier such as most or quite.

Translations

Anagrams

• Ilkley, Killey