Jump to content

likely

From Wiktionary
likely is one of the 1000 most common headwords.
like - likely - limit

Word parts

[change]

like + -ly

Pronunciation

[change]

Adjective

[change]

Positive
likely

Comparative
likelier

Superlative
likeliest

Positive
likely

Comparative
more likely

Superlative
most likely

Likely is on the Academic Vocabulary List.
  1. If something is likely, it is probably true or will probably happen.
    It seems likely that he will miss the meeting.
    The most likely explanation is that there was a simple mistake.
    People from that area are more likely to be short.
[change]

Adverb

[change]

Positive
likely

Comparative
more likely

Superlative
most likely

  1. You use likely to say that you think something is true or will happen.
    Likely, over the next few years, more changes will happen.
    It wouldn't likely have been very useful.
    Police have made good progress in their investigation but would not likely make any arrests within a week.