likely
(adjective) within the realm of credibility; “not a very likely excuse”
likely
(adjective) 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”
probable, likely
(adjective) likely but not certain to be or become true or real; “a likely result”; “he foresaw a probable loss”
likely, potential
(adjective) expected to become or be; in prospect; “potential clients”
probably, likely, in all likelihood, in all probability, belike
(adverb) with considerable certainty; without much doubt; “He is probably out of the country”; “in all likelihood we are headed for war”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
likely (comparative likelier or more likely, superlative likeliest or most likely)
probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring
(as predicate, followed by to and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable
appropriate, suitable; believable; having a good potential
plausible; within the realm of credibility
promising; apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome
attractive; pleasant
(obsolete) Similar; like; alike.
• (as predicate, followed by "to" and infinitive): liable
likely (plural likelies)
Something or somebody considered likely.
likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely) (US)
(obsolete) Similarly.
Probably.
• The adverb is a US usage and does not appear in British English except under direct influence of US practice.
• As an adverb, likely is often preceded by a modifier such as most or quite.
• Some usage guides consider adverbial likely - instead of probably - to be poor style and an artificial, sometimes pretentious way to imply a sense of erudition. One can also opt for the adverbial form likelily, which is however so rare that it is not recorded in most dictionaries.
• Ilkley, Killey
Likely
A census-designated place in Modoc County, California, United States.
• Ilkley, Killey
Source: Wiktionary
Like"ly, a. [Compar. Likelier; superl. Likeliest.] Etym: [That is, like-like. See Like, a.]
1. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. Johnson.
2. Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain.
3. Similar; like; alike. [Obs.] Spenser.
4. Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. Shak. Milton.
5. Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.
Like"ly, adv.
Definition: In all probability; probably. While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. Glanvill.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
16 April 2025
(adjective) marked by richness and fullness of flavor; “a rich ruby port”; “full-bodied wines”; “a robust claret”; “the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee”
Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.
