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
