Nearby Words
adjective
1.
probably or apparently destined (usually followed by an infinitive): something not likely to happen.
2.
seeming like truth, fact, or certainty; reasonably to be believed or expected; believable: a likely story.
3.
seeming to fulfill requirements or expectations; apparently suitable: a likely place for a restaurant.
4.
showing promise of achievement or excellence; promising: a fine, likely young man.
adverb
5.
probably: We will likely stay home this evening.
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Likelier
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Synonyms
3. appropriate.
3. appropriate.
Usage note
Likely in the senses “probably destined” and “probably” is often preceded by a qualifying word like very, more, or quite: The board is very likely to turn down the request. The new system will quite likely increase profits. However, despite statements to the contrary in some usage guides, likely in these senses is standard without such a qualifier in all varieties of English: It will likely be a bitter debate. EXPANDThe shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.
COLLAPSE
Likely in the senses “probably destined” and “probably” is often preceded by a qualifying word like very, more, or quite: The board is very likely to turn down the request. The new system will quite likely increase profits. However, despite statements to the contrary in some usage guides, likely in these senses is standard without such a qualifier in all varieties of English: It will likely be a bitter debate. EXPANDThe shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To likelier
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
likely
c.1300, perhaps from O.N. likligr "likely," from likr "like" (adj.). O.E. had cognate geliclic. Meaning "having the appearance of being strong and capable" is from mid-15c., though now mostly confined to Amer.Eng. Sense of "good-looking" is from 1470. Meaning "probably" is attested from late 14c., now
EXPANDprincipally in Amer.Eng.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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