likely meaning and definition

LIKELY adjective

Definition of likely (adjective)

1. has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
   • "these services are likely to be available to us all before long"; "she is likely to forget"; "a likely place for a restaurant"; "the broken limb is likely to fall"; "rain is likely"; "a likely topic for investigation"; "likely candidates for the job"
   • antonym: unlikely
2. likely but not certain to be or become true or real
   • "a likely result"; "he foresaw a probable loss"
   • synonyms: probable
   • antonym: improbable
3. expected to become or be; in prospect
   • "potential clients"
   • synonyms: potential
4. within the realm of credibility
   • "not a very likely excuse"

LIKELY adverb

Definition of likely (adverb)

1. with considerable certainty; without much doubt
   • "He is probably out of the country"; "in all likelihood we are headed for war"
   • synonyms: belike, in all likelihood, in all probability, probably