likely

likely
[[t]la͟ɪkli[/t]]
♦
likelier, likeliest
1) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ that You use likely to indicate that something is probably the case or will probably happen in a particular situation.

Experts say a `yes' vote is still the likely outcome...

If this is your first baby, it's far more likely that you'll get to the hospital too early...

Francis thought it likely John still loved her.

Syn:
Ant:
ADV-GRADED: ADV with cl/group
Likely is also an adverb.

Profit will most likely have risen by about ₤25 million... Very likely he'd told them he had American business interests.

2) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to-inf If someone or something is likely to do a particular thing, they will very probably do it.

In the meantime the war of nerves seems likely to continue...

Once people have seen that something actually works, they are much more likely to accept change.

Ant:
3) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n A likely person, place, or thing is one that will probably be suitable for a particular purpose.

At one point he had seemed a likely candidate to become Prime Minister...

We aimed the microscope at a likely looking target.

4) CONVENTION (emphasis) You can say not likely as an emphatic way of saying `no', especially when someone asks you whether you are going to do something. [INFORMAL]

`How about having a phone out here?' - `Not likely!'

Syn:
no way

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
, / , / , , , / , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 — (adj.) c.1300, perhaps from O.N. likligr likely, from likr like (see LIKE (Cf. like) (adj.)). Old English had cognate geliclic. Meaning having the appearance of being strong and capable is from mid 15c., though now mostly confined to American… …   Etymology dictionary

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”