likely — [līk′lē] adj. likelier, likeliest [ME likly, prob. aphetic < OE geliclic (or < ? ON likligr): see LIKE1 & LY1] 1. apparently true to the facts; credible; probable [a likely cause] 2. seeming as if it would happen or might happen; reasonably … English World dictionary
Likely — Like ly, a. [Compar. {Likelier} (l[imac]k l[i^]*[ e]r); superl. {Likeliest}.] [That is, like like. See {Like}, a.] 1. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. [1913 Webster] It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
likely — 1. As an adverb, likely needs the support of a qualifying or intensifying word such as more, quite, or very (They ve quite likely left by now / It s more likely a toadstool), whereas in AmE it often stands alone: • It is possible to predict that… … Modern English usage
likely — ► ADJECTIVE (likelier, likeliest) 1) such as well might be the case; probable. 2) promising. ► ADVERB ▪ probably. ● a likely story! Cf. ↑a likely story! … English terms dictionary
Likely — may refer to:* Likely, British Columbia, Canada * Likely McBrien (1892 1956), leading Australian rules football administrator in the Victorian Football Leagueee also* Likely Airport … Wikipedia
likely — [adj] probable, apt, hopeful acceptable, achievable, anticipated, assuring, attainable, believeable, conceivable, conjecturable, credible, destined, disposed, expected, fair, favorite, feasible, given to, imaginable, inclined, in favor of,… … New thesaurus
Likely — Like ly, adv. In all probability; probably. [1913 Webster] While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. Glanvill. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
likely — index apparent (presumptive), appropriate, believable, circumstantial, convincing, deductible (provable) … Law dictionary
likely — 1 *probable, possible Analogous words: credible, believable, colorable, *plausible: reasonable, *rational Antonyms: unlikely Contrasted words: *doubtful, dubious, questionable, problematic: * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
likely — like|ly1 W1S1 [ˈlaıkli] adj comparative likelier superlative likeliest [Date: 1300 1400; : Old Norse; Origin: glikligr, from glikr like ] 1.) something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true ≠ ↑unlikely ▪ Snow showers are likely… … Dictionary of contemporary English
