adjective / adverb
likely
LYKE-lee/ˈlaɪkli/
Having a good chance of happening or being true.
The spinner is likely to land on its large blue sector.
Etymology
Likely perhaps comes from Old Norse likligr, related to a word meaning “like.” Its early English sense, “having the appearance of truth or fact,” connects resemblance to the modern judgment that something is probable.
In context
those[br]statements don't make that conclusion any[br]more likely to be true. The fact that your[br]friend can't stand Monty and wants to have a good[br]time doesn't do anything to make it more likely[br]that Monty won't be there.
More examples
- Rain is likely this afternoon.
- She will likely arrive before noon.
- The revised explanation is likelier than the first.
Forms
likely · likelier · likeliest
likelihood noun — The chance that something will happen.