Likely

Definition: Likely

Likely

Adjective

1. Has a good chance of being the case or of coming about; "these services are likely to be available to us all before long"; "she is likely to forget"; "a likely place for a restaurant"; "the broken limb is likely to fall"; "rain is likely"; "a likely topic for investigation"; "likely candidates for the job".

2. Likely but not certain to be or become true or real; "a likely result"; "he foresaw a probable loss".

3. Expected to become or be; in prospect; "potential clients"; "expected income".

4. Within the realm of credibility; "not a very likely excuse"; "a plausible story".

Adverb

1. With considerable certainty; without much doubt; "He is probably out of the country"; "in all likelihood we are headed for war".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "likely" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references)

Mining

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Synonyms: Likely

Expectation

Foresee; prepare for; forestall; (be early); count upon; (believe in); think likely; (probability).

Possibility

Adjective: possible; in the cards, on the dice; in posse, within the bounds of possibility, conceivable, credible; compatible; likely.

Probability

Think likely, dare say, flatter oneself; expect; count upon; (believe).

Adverb: probably; Adjective: belike; in all probability, in all likelihood; very likely, most likely; like enough; odds on, odds in favor, ten; to one; apparently, seemingly, according to every reasonable expectation; prim_ facie; to all appearance; (to the eye).

Adjective: probable, likely, hopeful, to be expected, in a fair way.

Crosswords: Likely

Tell me, would you be likely to sue me if I was to beat you right now (The Sweet Hereafter; writing credit: Atom Egoyan)

Statistically they say you're more likely to get killed on the way to the airport (Dumb & Dumber; writing credit: Peter Farrelly; Bennett Yellin)

It's more than likely, it has been my experience that men are least attracted to women who treat them well (Death on the Nile; writing credit: Agatha Christie; Anthony Shaffer)

And Michael's very busy and likely to be more so. (The Prisoner of Zenda; writing credit: Anthony Hope; Edward E. Rose)

In high school I was voted most likely to be a mental patient, hillbilly or chimpanzee (The Simpsons; writing credit: Artur Brauner; Paul Hengge)

Most likely I'm high (Jumpin', Jumpin' (So So Def Remix); performing artist: Destiny's Child)

It's likely they're just jealous and jaded (TIL I HEAR IT FROM YOU; performing artist: Gin Blossoms)

A likely story, but leave a message (Spiderwebs; performing artist: No Doubt)

If such a rumor were true, Michael Jackson more that likely would have (Mephisto and Kevin; performing artist: Primus)

War talk by men who have been in a war is always interesting; whereas moon talk by a poet who has not been in the moon is likely to be dull. (references; author: Mark Twain)

A dog who attends a flea circus most likely will steal the whole show. (references; author: unknown)

It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that are most likely to be remembered. (references; author: unknown)

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973)

The Girl Most Likely to... (1973)

A Likely Story (1947)

The Least Likely Candidate (2002)

John Sessions' Likely Stories (1994)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• How Likely Is It?: Probability (Connected Mathematics Series) (reference)

• Least Likely to Wed (Silhouette Romance, No. 1570) (reference)

• Likely to Die (reference)

• Most Likely to Succeed: Multiple Murder and the Elusive Search for Justice in an American Town (reference)

• The Kind I'm Likely to Get: A Collection (reference)

  (more book examples)

Theater & Movies

• Likely Stories Vol.2 (reference)

• Likely Stories Vol.4 (reference)

  (more DVD examples; more video examples)

Music

• Girl Most Likely [SOUNDTRACK] (reference)

• Most Likely, No Problem (reference)

• The One Voted Most Likely to Succeed (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Shown is a culture dish containing frozen breast tissue. A technician's hands and test instruments are visible as well. This is used for analysis in estrogen receptor assay test. Results suggest whether removal of ovaries or use of antiestrogen drugs are likely to be effective. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

Seen are a technician's hands performing a lab test. The test tube with some frozen breast tissue and some liquid are visible, as well as the techician in some slides. This is the estrogen receptor assay being performed at the time of mastectomy. Results suggest whether removal of ovaries or use of antiestrogen drugs are likely to be effective therapy. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

Seen is a lab technician performing a step in the estrogen receptor assay. She is placing some liquid in test vials and inspecting them. In some slides only her hands and the vials are visible. The results of this test indicate whether removal of ovaries or antiestrogen drugs is the likely therapy. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

If civilizations exist around other stars they are likely to be just emerging across our ... Credit: NASA.

Mariner 9 image of the "Inca City". During the Mariner 9 mission, scientists found an unusual rectilinear structure associatedwith the south polar pitted terrain which they dubbed the "Inca City". Located near-80 degrees latitude and 64 degrees longitude, it is likely the result of wind deflationof deposits from underlying rough terrain. The "cells" in the image are about 4-5kilometers in width. Credit: NASA.

Figure 19. Apstein's mud sampler - an instrument described in the catalog of the German Section of the International Oceanographic and Marine Fisheries Exposition of 1906 as a sediment sampler although it appears to be more likely that it was meant to be a water sampler used in the study of plankton by Dr. Carl Apstein. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Main street of Brigham, Utah. In the small shopping centers in the Mormon communities the business establishments are likely to be many small ones rather than one large company dominating. Credit: Library of Congress.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

If therefore they must have one to rule them, as government is hardly to be avoided amongst men that live together; who so likely to be the man as he that was their common father; unless negligence, cruelty, or any other defect of mind or body made him unfit for it? But when either the father died, and left his next heir, for want of age, wisdom, courage, or any other qualities, less fit for rule; or where several families met, and consented to continue together; there, it is not to be doubted, but they used their natural freedom, to set up him, whom they judged the ablest, and most likely, to rule well over them. (Second Treatise of Government)

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. (reference)

Up to the moment of the completion of the evacuation they shall refrain from any form of requisitioning in money or in kind and from all acts likely to prejudice the material interests of the country. (reference)

If the Western Democracies stand together in strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, their influence for furthering those principles will be immense and no one is likely to molest them. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

It is not likely that I should, considering what I have been used to.

This, however, did not seem a very likely event, though the Gardener patiently tried all the small keys, over and over again

After what it had calculated to ten significant decimal places as being the precise length of pause most likely to convey a general contempt for all things mattressy, the robot continued to walk round in tight circles

I deem it not likely that he will betray the secret

less likely to get hurt by our cruel world, when obviously the reverse is true

I think you, Lawless, are likely to make that mistake

My master, finding how profitable I was likely to be, resolved to carry me to the most considerable cities of the kingdom

True, there never was and is not likely soon to be a nation of philosophers, nor am I certain it is desirable that there should be.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

Full recovery from the infection is likely. (references)

Periods are more likely to return in young women. (references)

Deer, elk, and wild rodents are likely reservoirs. (references)

Business

A number of factors appear likely to promote future growth. (references)

These positions will most likely not change over the next 3 years. (references)

Since they are likely to form specialized consortia for this purpose. (references)

Children

Uganda

Boys also are more likely to finish primary school and perform better on the PLE. (references)

Guatemala

Children in rural and indigenous areas are less likely to complete primary school. (references)

Equatorial Guinea

Pregnancy and the requirement to assist in agricultural work make this level of education less likely for girls. (references)

Civil Liberties

Iran

In such cases, Baha'is more likely are able to renew passports. (references)

Romania

The new radio leadership is likely to reflect the ruling party's views in its new coverage. (references)

Uzbekistan

Political opponents are more likely to have their passports confiscated than other citizens. (references)

Economic History

Austria

Event marketing will likely be very profitable. (references)

Uruguay

Zero or slightly negative GDP growth is likely for 2001. (references)

Ukraine

Full implementation is likely to take two to three years. (references)

Human Rights

Somalia

No action is likely against any of those responsible. (references)

Afghanistan

All factions most likely held political detainees, but no firm numbers are available. (references)

Guyana

The likely arson-initiated fire occurred during an opposition political protest march. (references)

Indigenous People

Mexico

The ICRC announced that it would likely reduce food assistance after assessing results of the fall harvest. (references)

Australia

Employed indigenous people were nearly 3 times more likely than nonindigenous people to be working as laborers and related workers and only half as likely to be employed as managers and administrators or in professional occupations, according to the latest available (1998) figures from the Bureau of Statistics. (references)

Minorities

Congo

Katangans in the FAC substantially were more likely both to be promoted and to be paid than persons from other regions. (references)

Political Economy

Uk

The Conservatives, by contrast, are likely to oppose such a referendum. (references)

Malaysia

He is likely to remain prime minister as long as he is UMNO's president. (references)

Hungary

Most likely 2002 will see one of these three major parties have a second term in office. (references)

Political Rights

Madagascar

A runoff election in early 2002 appeared likely. (references)

Singapore

He likely will be required to discharge all of these debts before the bankruptcy order against him is lifted. (references)

Trinidad and Tobago

Both parties looked to President A.N.R. Robinson to break the deadlock by appointing as Prime Minister that candidate most likely to be able to command a majority in Parliament. (references)

Trade

Vietnam

Most sectors of the economy are likely to pay less under VAT. (references)

Spain

Otherwise, a customs duty is likely to be levied on the sample. (references)

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is likely to purchase more soybeans with financing under GSM-102. (references)

Travel

Burma

Persons arriving without visas are likely to be deported. (references)

Spain

Bags or other articles left unattended in Spain are likely to be stolen. (references)

Kenya

In the lead-up to the next national election in 2002, political meetings, demonstrations, and strikes are likely. (references)

Women

Burundi

Women are far less likely to hold mid-level or high-level positions. (references)

Uganda

Women remained more likely to sue for divorce than to file assault charges against their husbands. (references)

Guatemala

Nonetheless, in practice women face job discrimination and are less likely to win management positions. (references)

Worker Rights

Benin

UNICEF also indicated that girls were far more likely to be trafficked than boys. (references)

Pakistan

The courts may imprison employers for violating this prohibition, but they are more likely to fine them. (references)

Cambodia

Women and children, especially those in rural areas, are the most likely to become victims of trafficking. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expressions using "likely": a likely explanation ♦ as likely as not ♦ be likely ♦ deem likely ♦ do you think he is likely to move in this affair? ♦ likely duration ♦ likely to ♦ likely to be ♦ more likely ♦ most likely ♦ most likely time ♦ not very likely ♦ quite likely ♦ scarcely likely ♦ that is not likely ♦ think likely ♦ think smth. likely that ♦ very likely. Additional references.

Beginning with "likely": likely-looking.

Ending with "likely": error-likely, not-bloody-likely.

Containing "likely": most-likely-to-be-concentrated-on, most-likely-to-succeed.

Albanian

premtues (fair, hopeful, promising, promissory), mbas gjase (probably), ka mundësi (in all probability, like, maybe, presumedly), i pritshëm (future), i përshtatshëm (adapt, adequate, adjustable, appropriate, becoming, befitting, canny, comely, competent, congruous, convenient, decent, desirable, done, due, elastic, eligible, expedient, fit, fitting, germane, handy, livable, liveable, opportune, Pat, proper, propitious, qualified, rated, relevant, seemly, suitable, suited, tenable, well-becoming, well-suited), i mundshëm (available, contingent, eventual, feasible, incident, possible, potential, presumable, probable, prospective). (various references)

Arabic 

‏فاتن (alluring, attractive, breathtaking, captivating, catching, charming, cute, darling, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, exquisite, fascinating, glamorous, glamourous, lovely, magic, magical, mesmeric, personable, philanderer, picturesque, pretty, ravishing, seducer, spellbinding, stunning, superb, sweet, tempter, thrilling, winning, winsome, zestful), ‏ممكن (conceivable, contingent, imaginable, it is possible, possible, potential, thinkable), ‏محتمل (bearable, endurable, perchance, perhaps, possible, potential, presumably, probable, prospective, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable), ‏مرجح (probable), ‏واعد (committed, favorable, favourable, hopeful, portentous, promise, promised, promising), ‏على الأرجح (in all probability, like enough, probably), ‏ربما (at times, may, maybe, might, perhaps, possibly, probably, supposedly). (various references)

Bulgarian 

възможен (conceivable, eventual, feasible, liable, possible, potential, thinkable), вероятно (belike, like, presumably, presumedly, probably), вероятен (assumptive, believable, contingent, expected, feasible, liable, presumptive, probable, prospective, verisimilar), обещаващ (hopeful, promising), надежден (dependable, hopeful, reliable, responsible, secure, sterling, straight, sure), правдоподобен (believable, colorable, colourable, credible, feasible, plausible, probable, verisimilar), приятен (acceptable, agreeable, cheerful, clever, companionable, cozy, darling, easy, engaging, enjoyable, good, gracious, grateful, groovy, jocund, jolly, likable, likeable, luscious, merry, musical, nice, nice-looking, not unwelcome, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pretty, refreshing, rose colored, rose coloured, sapid, satisfying, savoury, soft, sweet, sympathetic, toothsome, welcome), привлекателен (alluring, appealing, attractive, catching, catchy, congenial, cute, debonair, desirable, engaging, enticing, fetching, ingratiating, interesting, inviting, lickerish, likable, likeable, lovable, pleasing, prepossessing, pretty, seductive, sightly, taking, tempting, winsome, yummy), подходящ (adaptable, adequate, agreeable, answerable, apposite, appropriate, apt, becoming, congenial, congruent, congruous, convenient, correct, correspondent, fit, fitting, germane, god given, opportune, pointful, proper, propitious, sensible, suitable, suited, sympathetic, worthy). (various references)

Chinese 

容易 (easy, liable), 可能 (Likelier, Likeliest, likelihood, maybe, Possible, Possibly, Probable). (various references)

Czech

pravdìpodobný (colourable, feasible, plausible, presumable, probable, supposed, verisimilar), pravdìpodobnì (arguably, in all probability, presumably, probably, very likely). (various references)

Danish

sandsynlig (probable). (various references)

Dutch

waarschijnlijk (plausible, probable, probably), waarschýnlýk (plausible, probable, probably). (various references)

Esperanto

verŝajna (probable). (various references)

Farsi 

محتمل (Apt, Plausible, Probable, Soso), احتمالی (Eventual, Probable), باورکردنی (Credibility, Credible, Plausible, Probable). (various references)

Finnish

luultava (probable), uskottava (credible, plausible), todennäköinen (probable). (various references)

French

vraisemblable, séduisant, probablement (like enough), probable, possible, plausible, attirant. (various references)

German

wahrscheinlich (plausible, presumably, prob, probability, probable, probably), gleicht (looks like, resembles). (various references)

Greek 

μάλλον (further, more, most, nay, quite, rather, sooner), πιανάν, πιθανόσ (contingent, presumable, presumptive, probable), πιθανόν (perhaps, possibly), πιθανά (probably), αρμοδιότησ (fitness, patness, pertinence, propriety, relevance, relevancy, suitability). (various references)

Hebrew 

מתקבל על הדעת (conceivable, plausible, reasonable, stands to reason, with in reason), מתאים (applicable, apposite, appropriate, apt, concurrent, congruous, convenient, fit, fitting, germane, meet, proper, propitious, suitable), יתכן (feasible, maybe, perhaps, possibly), עלול (capable, caused, liable, may do, might), אפשרי (possible, prospective), אפשר (it is possible, maybe, perhaps, possibly), סביר (feasible, rational, reasonable). (various references)

Hungarian

lehetséges (as far as possible, feasible, it's possible, maybe, possible, potential, probable), valószínûleg (like enough, probably), valószínû (feasible, plausible, potential, probable, verisimilar), valószínűleg (belike, like, presumably), valószínű (feasible, presumptive, probable, the odds are that, verisimilar), sokat ígérő (hopeful), hihetõ (believable, credent, credible), feltehető (assumable, reputed). (various references)

Icelandic

sennilegur (probable). (various references)

Irish

dócha. (various references)

Italian

probabile (presumable, probable, probably, prospective). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

有り得べき (possible, probable). (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

ありうべき (possible, probable). (various references)

Korean 

아마 (Likelier, Likeliest, Presumably). (various references)

Manx

s'cosoylagh (probably), cosoylagh (alike, allegoric, allegorical, similar, symbolic). (various references)

Norwegian

sannsynligvis (probably), sannsynlig. (various references)

Pig Latin

ikelylay.(various references)

Portuguese

provavelmente (belike, like, presumably, probably), provável (coming, presumable, probable, prospective, would-be). (various references)

Romanian

verosimil (like, verisimilar), probabil (as like as not, feasible, haply, it must be, like, presumably, presumptive, probable, probably, supposable), potrivit (according, according to, adequate, ample, apposite, appropriate, apropos, apt, assorted, average, becoming, befitting, commensurate, condign, congenial, congruous, conservative, correct, corresponding, decorous, due, duly, eligible, felicitous, fit, fitting, in point, middling, moderate, moderately, opportune, Pat, proper, pursuant to, right, seemly, suitable, suited, to), nimerit (adequate, apt, convenient, fit, good, opportune, Pat, successful), convenabil (acceptable, admissible, appropriate, becoming, cheap, comely, convenient, conveniently, eligible, fair, feasible, fit, fitting, goodly, reasonable, seemly, suitable, suited), adecvat (adequate, adequately, applicable, appropriate, befitting, condign, fit, meetly, opportune, pertinently, proper, suitable). (various references)

Russian 

вероятный (believable, credible, interquartile, poss possible, possible, presumable, probabilistic, probable, verisimilar), вероятно;вероятный, вероятно (apparently, belike, probably, there seems to be, there seems to be no), подходящий (apposite, appropriate, appropriative, apt, assorted, congenial, congruous, convenient, correct, eligible, favorable, favourable, felicitous, fit, germane, in point, opportune, pertinent, pointful, propitious, suitable, suited, well-becoming, well-matched), подающий надежды (budding, hopeful, promising, up and coming). (various references)

Scottish

dòcha (more likely, more probable; compar. of : dòigh). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

verovatno (belike, easily, presumably, probably), verovatan (believable, possible, presumable, probable, verisimilar), pogodan (apt, conducive, convenient, favorable, favourable, fit, fitting, proper, serviceable, suitable), po svij prilici (presumably). (various references)

Slovene

rad (like). (various references)

Spanish

probable (presumable, probable, prospective). (various references)

Swedish

trolig (credible, feasible, liable, plausible, probable), sannolik (feasible, plausible, presumptive, probable), antaglig (acceptable, plausible, presumable, probable, reasonable, suspicious). (various references)

Thai

เหมาะสม (apt, become, becoming, befit, due, expedient, good, just, meet, neat, seemly, suitable), เป็นไปได้ (apt), น่าเชื่อถือ (authentic), ท่าทางดูดี. (various references)

Turkish

uygun (acceptable, accommodating, adaptable, adequate, advisable, agreeable, allowable, answerable, applicable, apposite, appropriate, apropos, apt, becoming, befitting, calculated, comely, commensurate, comparative, compatible, concordant, conformable, congenial, congruent, congruous, consistent, convenient, cool, correct, decent, done, due, eligible, enjoyable, equal, expedient, fair, fair enough, favorable, favourable, felicitous, fine, fit, fitted, fitting, for, in place, keen, lovely, made to order, matching, meet, nice, opportune, permitting, pertinent, pleasant, proper, propitious, proportional, prosperous, pursuant, relevant, ripe, seasonable, seemly, Square, suitable, suited, tailormade, up to, well, well-matched), olası (a priori, contingent, contingently, earthly, eventual, feasible, in the air, in the cards, incidental, liable, like, off, on the cards, plausible, possible, probable, prospective, within the bounds of possibility), muhtemelen (easily, perhaps, presumably, presumedly, probably), muhtemel (a priori, contingent, eventual, in the cards, liable, on the cards, probable, prospective), mantıklı (common-sensical, just, legitimate, level, level headed, logical, plausible, rational, reasonable, sensible, valid), mümkün (feasible, possible, probable), inandırıcı (cogent, colorable, conclusive, convincing, credible, demonstrative, evidential, evidentiary, persuasive, potent, vivid), galiba (methinks, presumably, presumedly, probably), büyük ihtimalle (most likely, presumably, presumedly, very likely). (various references)

Ukrainian

імовірно (credibly), імовірний (believable, credible, possible, probable, verisimilar), можливий (affordable, apt, conceivable, contingent, eventual, feasible, possible, potential, presumable, presumptive, probable, prospective), мабуть (apparently, maybe, ought, possibly, presumably, probably, yes), зручний (accessible, accommodative, carriageable, comfortable, comfy, convenient, cosy, couth, easeful, easy, practical), підхожий (acceptable, adapted, agreeable, apposite, appropriate, apropos, apt, befitting, canny, eligible, feasible, fit, fitting, good, meet, o.k., ok, okay, okey, opportune, proper, qualified, suitable), правдоподібний (believable, credible, plausible, probable, specious, verisimilar), певно (apparently, belike, by all odds, expressly, precisely, pronouncedly, reliably, surely). (various references)

Vietnamese 

chắc đúng, chắc (certain, certainly, cobby, firm, stout, sure, sure-enough), có thể (ablings, ablins, aiblins, maybe, perhaps, possible, possibly, praps, traceable), có lẽ thật có thể thích hợp, có lẽ đúng, đúng với có vẻ có năng lực. (various references)

Welsh

tebygol (probable), tebyg (like, similar), amcanus (purposed, skillful). (various references)

Derivations

Words ending with "likely": unlikely. (additional references)

Misspellings

"Likely" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: ikely, Lankelly, Lekule, liekly, likeley, likety, likily, likle, likley, litely, Ulikooli. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-1 letter: kelly.

-2 letters: illy, kill, like, lily, yelk, yell, yill.

-3 letters: elk, ell, ilk, ill, key, lei, lek, ley, lie, lye.

-4 letters: el, li, ye.

+1 letter: leakily.

+2 letters: claylike, ladylike, lilylike, playlike, unlikely.

+3 letters: jellylike, kilocycle, sylphlike.

+4 letters: kilocycles, kindlessly, lawyerlike, unladylike.

+5 letters: alkalimetry, kinetically, lickerishly, skeptically, talkatively.