likelyadjective
uk/ˈlaɪ.kli/us/ˈlaɪ.kli/B1 If something is likely, it will probably happen or is expected:
Do remind me because I'm likely to forget.
What's the likely outcome of this whole business?
I suppose that might happen but it's not very likely.
[ + that ] It's quite likely that we'll be in Spain this time next year.
Opposite
unlikely
More examples
- Children from an underprivileged family background are statistically more likely to become involved in crime.
- She made a rough estimate of the likely cost.
- Disney's latest production looks likely to be their most successful ever.
- It is likely that the suspects have left the country by now.
- The study showed that one in twelve women is likely to develop breast cancer.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Possible and probable
- (the) chances are idiom
- always
- anything's possible idiom
- arguably
- as never before idiom
- avenue
- course
- lean
- lean towards sth
- liable
- likelihood
- may well idiom
- sporting chance
- stand
- strange
- stranger things have happened idiom
- strong
- ten
- ten to one idiom
- vista
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Idiom(s)
(that's) a likely story!
likelyadverb
uk/ˈlaɪ.kli/us/ˈlaɪ.kli/mainly US probably:
She will likely need surgery.
as likely as not
C1 probably:
As likely as not, she'll end up in court over this problem.
most/very likely
C1 very probably:
Most likely he'll turn up late.
not likely!
B1 informal certainly not!:
"Do you want to come running with me?" "Not likely!"
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Possible and probable
- (the) chances are idiom
- always
- anything's possible idiom
- arguably
- as never before idiom
- avenue
- course
- lean
- lean towards sth
- liable
- likelihood
- may well idiom
- sporting chance
- stand
- strange
- stranger things have happened idiom
- strong
- ten
- ten to one idiom
- vista
See more results »