probability

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

English

Wikibooks

Etymology

From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪləti/, [ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪləɾi], /ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪlɪti/, [ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪlɪɾi]
• Hyphenation: prob‧a‧bil‧i‧ty
• Rhymes: -ɪlɪti

Noun

probability (countable and uncountable, plural probabilities)

1. The state of being probable.
2. An event that is likely to occur.
3. The relative likelihood of an event happening.
4. (mathematics) A number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening.

Synonyms

• likelihood
• likeliness
• probableness
• probality (obsolete)

Derived terms

Related terms

• probable

Translations

See also

Further reading

• “probability”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “probability”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “probability”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.