likely

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   within the realm of credibility

   not a very likely excuse

2. 2
   adj

   has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

   these services are likely to be available to us all before long

3. 3
   adj

   likely but not certain to be or become true or real

   a likely result

4. 4
   adj

   Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.

   Rain is likely later this afternoon.

5. 5
   adj

   Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.

   Do you think there's likely to be snow?

6. 6
   adj

   Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.

   Jones is a likely candidate for management.

7. 7
   adj

   Plausible; within the realm of credibility.

   not a very likely excuse.

8. 8
   adj

   Leading with high probability to some specified outcome.

   a likely recipe for disaster.

Etymology

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).