likely
adjective/ˈlaɪkli/
/ˈlaɪkli/
(comparative likelier, superlative likeliest)
more likely and most likely are more frequentIdioms - having a good chance of happening or being something; probable or expected
- the most likely explanation/outcome/scenario
- the likely cause/consequence
- a likely nominee/contender/winner
- A threat level of ‘Severe’ means a terrorist attack is highly likely.
- They might ask for help or, more likely, just give up.
- likely to do something Tickets are likely to be expensive.
- The beetles are likely to cause damage.
- There is likely to be heavy snowfall.
- likely (that)… It's hardly likely (that) they'll refuse.
- It is quite likely the discussion may never take place.
Express Yourself Expressing likelihoodExpressing likelihoodWhen you are talking about possible situations, you can express how likely you think they are:- It's pretty much inevitable that prices will go up this year.
- I think it's likely to rain this afternoon.
- I’m probably going to be away then.
- I guess there's a fifty per cent chance that they'll say no.
- It's unlikely, but not totally impossible, I suppose.
- They can't possibly be serious about buying a boat!
- It can't really be all that difficult, can it?
- Let's start without them. They're bound to be late.
Language Bank expectexpectDiscussing predictions- By 2050, one in six people on the planet will be aged 65 or over.
- The number of people globally aged 65 and over is expected/likely to double by 2050.
- It is predicted that the over-65s will make up 17 per cent of the global population by 2050.
- Experts have forecast that the number of people over 65 will rise to 1.6 billion by 2050.
- World population is set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
- Net migration into the UK over the last decade was higher than expected.
- Overall population growth in the UK has been in line with predictions.
Extra ExamplesTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2- What is the most likely cause of the infection?
- It's very likely they already have their own website.
- Workplaces that scored highest for employee satisfaction were 38% more likely to have above-average productivity.
- Severe storms are most likely to occur in October and November.
- Older people are more likely to die of the disease.
- Women are more likely to have the condition than men.
- You are less likely to have problems if you plan ahead.
- It is likely to remain cold all weekend.
- This is one of the strangest art galleries you're ever likely to see.
- This is likely to cause problems further down the line.
- Economists warn that this willingness to lend is not likely to continue.
- The most likely explanation for these changes is a decline in insect numbers.
- I think there's a more likely explanation.
- We need to talk honestly about the likely outcomes of these different choices.
- We'd be fine if someone gave us $200 000 but that, unfortunately, is not a likely scenario.
- The rising cost of housing is the most likely culprit.
- We discussed the likely consequences of the vote.
- The retiring Chairman was photographed having lunch with his likely successor.
- a list of likely Oscar nominees
- His movie is still the most likely winner of this year's Best Picture.
- a development they believed would make nuclear war more likely
- Juries became increasingly likely to acquit.
- Violence may appeal to some viewers, but it's equally likely to put people off.
- They're hardly likely to get home before ten.
- This match was never likely to be a classic.
- It is entirely likely that the company will make another offer.
- It's more than likely that the thieves don't know how much it is worth.
- It is highly likely that the factory will have to close.
- The doctors didn't think it likely that she would ever recover completely.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
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- seeming suitable for a purpose synonym promising
- She seems the most likely candidate for the job.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse líkligr, from líkr; related to alike.
Idioms
See likely in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee likely in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englisha likely story
- (informal, ironic) used to show that you do not believe what somebody has said
- You just found it lying in the street? A likely story!
- He said he'd met Rihanna. A likely story.
Check pronunciation:
likely