English adjective: likely | |||
1. | likely has a good chance of being the case or of coming about | ||
Samples | 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. | ||
Similar | apt, liable, probable, promising | ||
See also | possible | ||
Attribute | likelihood, likeliness | ||
Antonyms | unlikely | ||
2. | likely likely but not certain to be or become true or real | ||
Samples | A likely result. He foresaw a probable loss. | ||
Synonyms | probable | ||
Similar | equiprobable, presumptive, verisimilar | ||
Antonyms | improbable, unlikely | ||
3. | likely expected to become or be; in prospect | ||
Samples | Potential clients. | ||
Synonyms | potential | ||
Similar | prospective | ||
Antonyms | retrospective | ||
4. | likely within the realm of credibility | ||
Samples | Not a very likely excuse. | ||
Similar | believable, credible | ||
Antonyms | incredible, unbelievable | ||
English adverb: likely | |||
1. | likely with considerable certainty; without much doubt | ||
Samples | He is probably out of the country. In all likelihood we are headed for war. | ||
Synonyms | belike, in all likelihood, in all probability, probably | ||