Etimology
From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“likely”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *līkalīkaz, equivalent to like + -ly.
adjective
likely (comparative likelier or more likely, superlative likeliest or most likely)
Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.
(as predicate, followed by to and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.
Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.
Plausible; within the realm of credibility.
Leading with high probability to some specified outcome.
Attractive; pleasant.
(obsolete) Similar; like; alike.
Examples
Rain is likely later this afternoon.
They are likely to become angry with him.
He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.
People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?
In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages - with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive.
Jones is a likely candidate for management.
The relationship with social status is a likely topic for investigation.
not a very likely excuse.
The DPRK propagated an extraordinary tale of his birth occurring on Mount Baekdu, one of Korea's most revered sites, being accompanied by shooting stars in the sky. It is more likely that he was born in a small village in the USSR, while his father was serving as a Soviet-backed general during the second world war.
a likely recipe for disaster.
I found a likely spot under a shady tree for the picnic.
For love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent
Related words
synonyms
(as predicate, followed by "to" and infinitive): liable
noun
likely (plural likelies)
Something or somebody considered likely.
Etimology
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.
adverb
likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely) (US)
(obsolete) Similarly.
Probably.
Examples
Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.
Dismounting on the sidewalk, their helmets still on, they fall into a lengthy conversation. Their dialogue is known only to them. But there is something the men themselves likely don’t know: About a mile away, from a windowless room, two other men are watching them.