Skip to content

likely

/ˈlaɪkli/adjective, adverb2 syllables

Likely means: has a good chance of being the case or of coming about.

Synonyms for likely15

adjective, as in has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

adjective, as in expected to become or be; in prospect

adjective, as in within the realm of credibility

adverb, as in with considerable certainty; without much doubt

probably, in all likelihood, in all probability, belike

also used for likely

proximate, see synonyms at probably

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Opposites of likely

What does likely mean?4

adjective

1

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about“these services are likely to be available to us all before long”

2

expected to become or be; in prospect“potential clients”

3

within the realm of credibility“not a very likely excuse”

adverb

1

with considerable certainty; without much doubt“He is probably out of the country”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with likely?1

three syllables

Show 40 near rhymes

Likely in a sentence

  • In fact, the opposite is more likely to occur.CM
  • Judging from the look of the sky, it is likely to rain.mamat
  • According to the weather forecast, the typhoon is likely to approach the coast.CK
  • She's likely to refuse to follow his advice, because she doesn't like him.CK
  • Mostly likely, he's come back from the workshop.FeuDRenais
  • It's likely to get cold tonight, so you may need an extra blanket.CK
  • If you do your best, you're likely to succeed.CK
  • The longer the sentence, the more likely it is to be unique.xrchz

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of likely

as a adjective

comparative
likelier
superlative
likeliest

as a adverb

comparative
likelier
superlative
likeliest