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likely - 5 dictionary results
like⋅ly
[lahyk-lee] 
adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est, adverb –adjective
| 1. | probably or apparently destined (usually fol. 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. |
Origin:
1250–1300; ME likli < ON līkligr. See like1, -ly
1250–1300; ME likli < ON līkligr. See like1, -ly
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. The shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.
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. The shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To likely
| like·ly (līk'lē) adj. like·li·er, like·li·est
Probably. [Middle English likly, from Old English gelīclīc (from gelīc, similar) and from Old Norse līkligr (from līkr, similar); see līk- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: Used as an adverb likely is most commonly preceded by a modifier such as very or quite: He will quite likely require some help with his classes. But the unmodified use of likely is common enough in educated writing, and though it might be better avoided in highly formal style, it should not be regarded as incorrect: They'll likely buy a new car this year. See Usage Note at liable. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Likely
Like"ly\, a. [Compar. Likelier (l[imac]k"l[i^]*[~e]r); superl. Likeliest.] [That is, like-like. See Like, a.]1. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. --Johnson. 2. Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain. 3. Similar; like; alike. [Obs.] --Spenser. 4. Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. --Shak. Milton. 5. Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.Likely
Like"ly\, adv. In all probability; probably. While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. --Glanvill.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : likely
Spanish:
probable,
German:
wahrscheinlich,
Japanese:
～しそうな
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 1454, though now mostly confined to Amer.Eng. Sense of "good-looking" is from 1470. Meaning "probably" is attested from c.1380, now principally in Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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