Likely

Probable; having a good chance of being true or happening. Often used to describe events or outcomes that are expected to occur.

adjective

Likely

Probable; having a good chance of being true or happening. Often used to describe events or outcomes that are expected to occur.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine checking a weather forecast that says 'It is likely to rain this afternoon.' You see dark clouds gathering and hear the meteorologist describe a high chance of rain; you instinctively sense that rain is probable.

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Sounds Like

LAHYK-lee

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Looks Like

Looks like the word 'like' plus the common -ly suffix; visually resembles many adverbs

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Remember This

Commonly used to express probability; can be followed by 'to' (likely to do something) or 'that' (It is likely that ...). It is not the same as 'liably' or 'likely' in other languages; keep in mind its primary function is to indicate probability.

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Other Forms

likelihoodnoun

likelinessnoun

likelyadverb

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Connect With

probable, plausible, expected, anticipated

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Note

Usually followed by a to-infinitive or a clause with 'that' (It is likely that...). Do not confuse with 'likely' meaning 'likely to be' in some formal contexts; prefer 'probable' in very formal writing. The adverb form is also 'likely' (as in 'She will probably come' vs 'She is likely to come').