likely

[lahyk-lee] /ˈlaɪk li/

adjective, likelier, likeliest.

probably or apparently destined (usually followed by an infinitive):

something not likely to happen.

seeming like truth, fact, or certainty; reasonably to be believed or expected; believable:

a likely story.

seeming to fulfill requirements or expectations; apparently suitable:

a likely place for a restaurant.

showing promise of achievement or excellence; promising:

a fine, likely young man.

adverb

probably:

We will likely stay home this evening.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English likli < Old Norse līkligr. See like¹, -ly

Can be confused

apt, likely (see synonym study at apt; see usage note at the current entry)

Synonyms

3. appropriate.

Usage note

Likely in the senses “probably destined” and “probably” is often preceded by a qualifying word like very, more, or quite: The board is very likely to turn down the request. The new system will quite likely increase profits. However, despite statements to the contrary in some usage guides, likely in these senses is standard without such a qualifier in all varieties of English: It will likely be a bitter debate. The shipment will likely arrive on Thursday. See also apt, liable.

Examples from the web for likely

The gas likely burst forth as little as one million to ten million years ago.
Here then are ten of the animals likely to have killed our ancient and not so ancient kin.
Non-cheaters were also less likely to believe that their peers had cheated, the studies found.
Think about that, and then tell me how likely a double-dip seems.
Such an eruption would likely send hot ash and gas flying down the northwestern flanks of the mountain.
But it isn't likely to appear anytime soon in a dictionary.
The more complex the game, the more likely the game will ship with bugs.
Few colleges reported that hiring freezes were likely.
The kids have been home for hours with little supervision, and have more than likely snacked on whatever they could find.
Try drawing your hand when you can't see it--your picture is likely distorted.

British Dictionary definitions for likely

likely

/ˈlaɪklɪ/

adjective

(usually foll by an infinitive) tending or inclined; apt: likely to rain

probable: a likely result

believable or feasible; plausible

appropriate for a purpose or activity

having good possibilities of success: a likely candidate

(dialect, mainly US) attractive, agreeable, or enjoyable: her likely ways won her many friends

adverb

probably or presumably

as likely as not, very probably

Usage note

Likely as an adverb is preceded by another, intensifying adverb, as in it will very likely rain or it will most likely rain. Its use without an intensifier, as in it will likely rain is regarded as unacceptable by most users of British English, though it is common in colloquial US English

Word Origin

C14: from Old Norse līkligr

Word Origin and History for likely

adj.

c.1300, perhaps from Old Norse likligr "likely," from likr "like" (see 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 English; according to OED this sense is perhaps influenced by like (v.). Sense of "good-looking" is from late 15c. Meaning "probably" is attested from late 14c., now principally in American English.

LIKELY. That may be liked; that may please; handsome. In the United States, as a colloquial term, respectable; worthy of esteem; sensible.--Worcester. [Bartlett]

As an adverb, late 14c., from the adjective.