likely

likely — adjective

IPA/ˈlaɪkli/
KK[lˈaɪkli]IPA/ˈlaɪkli/
  • likelypositive
  • likeliercomparative
  • likeliestsuperlative

1. When you say that an event or situation is likely, you mean that there are clear

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

When you say that an event or situation is likely, you mean that there are clear grounds to think it will happen or is true.

Example

Caleb is likely to get the job offer after such a strong interview.

likely + to-infinitive for prediction

It is likely that the morning flight will be delayed by fog.

it is likely that + clause

Common collocations
  • highly likely
  • most likely
  • very likely
  • more likely
  • less likely
  • quite likely
  • likely outcome
  • likely result
  • likely explanation
  • likely candidate
Synonyms
  • probable

    more formal than 'likely'; often used in statistical or technical contexts

  • expected

    focuses on what people anticipate rather than what the evidence suggests

  • plausible

    suggests something could be true on first impression, without strong evidence

Antonyms
  • unlikely

    the direct opposite in all three grammatical patterns

  • improbable

    more formal counterpart of 'unlikely'

Grammar Patterns

it is likely (that) + clause

subject + be + likely + to-infinitive

the most/least likely + noun

Usage Note

This sense can take three main structures: (1) a that-clause after 'it is likely,' (2) a to-infinitive after the subject, or (3) a noun phrase directly describing the outcome. The first two patterns are interchangeable in most contexts, but pattern (1) is slightly more formal.

Common Mistakes

It's possible that he'll come' (when you mean a good chance).
It's likely that he'll come.
'Possible' only means it could happen; 'likely' means there is a good reason to expect it.
He's probable to win.
He's likely to win.
'Probable' is not used in the pattern 'subject + be + probable + to-infinitive'; use 'likely' or restructure.

2. Something that appears to be a good choice or well suited for a particular purpo

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Something that appears to be a good choice or well suited for a particular purpose or role.

Example

The old barn looks like a likely place for the film crew to set up their equipment.

likely + noun + for + purpose

Tara seemed the most likely candidate to replace the retiring manager.

most likely candidate + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • likely candidate
  • likely place
  • likely spot
  • likely source
  • likely choice
Synonyms
  • suitable

    more general and neutral; 'likely' adds a sense of promise or expectation

  • promising

    focuses on future potential rather than current suitability

  • appropriate

    emphasises correctness for a particular situation or purpose

Antonyms
  • unsuitable

    the direct opposite in terms of fitness for a purpose

  • unlikely

    can also mean 'not suitable' in this sense, but 'unsuitable' is clearer

Grammar Patterns

a likely + noun + for (purpose/role)

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (PROBABLE), this sense is almost always placed directly before a noun ('a likely candidate,' 'a likely spot'). It is not used in the patterns 'it is likely that…' or 'subject is likely to…' with this meaning.

Common Mistakes

This spot is likely for a picnic' (using sense-1 grammar for sense-2 meaning).
This is a likely spot for a picnic.
When 'likely' means 'suitable,' it must come before the noun it describes.

3. Describes a story, claim, or explanation that people can believe because it seem

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describes a story, claim, or explanation that people can believe because it seems reasonable and fits the known facts.

Example

The driver's account of the crash seemed a likely explanation to the police.

likely + noun = believable

Élise offered a likely reason for the missing files, so the supervisor let the matter drop.

Common collocations
  • likely story
  • likely explanation
  • likely enough
  • likely account
  • likely reason
Synonyms
  • credible

    direct synonym; more formal and unambiguous than 'likely' for this sense

  • plausible

    emphasises surface-level believability rather than deep credibility

  • reasonable

    broader in meaning; can refer to logical soundness beyond believability

Antonyms
  • implausible

    a story or claim that does not seem believable

  • far-fetched

    informal; describes a story that is too strange to believe

Grammar Patterns

a likely + noun (story, explanation, account)

subject + be + likely + enough

Usage Note

This sense is about trustworthiness, not probability. A story can be 'likely' (credible/reasonable) even if the event it describes has a low chance of being true. The fixed phrase 'a likely story' often carries a sarcastic tone, meaning the opposite ('that story is not believable').

Common Mistakes

His excuse was likely' (meaning 'believable' — ambiguous with sense 1).
His excuse was likely enough that nobody questioned it.
Use 'likely enough' or 'a likely story' to signal this sense clearly.
Idioms

a likely story

idiom

Used to express disbelief in what someone has said.

Maya said she finished her homework, but a likely story.

You expect me to believe you won the lottery? A likely story!

likely — adverb

IPA/ˈlaɪ.kli/
KK[lˈaɪkli]IPA/ˈlaɪ.kli/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Likely, probable, possible, and plausible sit on different levels of certainty and types of judgment. Likely is the most common everyday word — it means there is a strong chance based on evidence or common sense ('It is likely to rain — look at those clouds'). Probable is more formal and suggests a higher degree of certainty based on statistical or logical grounds ('The probable cause of the crash was engine failure'). Possible is the weakest of the four — it only means 'could happen,' with no indication of how likely it is ('It is possible that she will call, but do not wait by the phone'). Plausible focuses on whether something seems believable or reasonable at first glance, not on its actual probability ('His excuse sounded plausible, but nobody checked the facts'). In short: possible = could be true; plausible = looks like it could be true; likely = probably true; probable = almost certainly true based on evidence.

likely ↗probable ↗possible ↗plausible ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • highly likely
  • very likely
  • most likely
  • quite likely
  • more likely
  • less likely
  • equally likely

Phrases

Prepositions

  • likely to (do something)
  • likely for (a role/purpose)

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'likely' entered English from Old Norse 'líkligr,' meaning 'like, resembling' or 'shaped like,' which in turn came from 'líkr' (like, similar). It arrived during the Viking Age (8th–11th centuries) when Norse speakers settled in parts of England. Originally it meant 'having the right shape or qualities for something' (still seen in adjective sense 2 today). By the 14th century it had developed the probability meaning we now use most often. The adverb use as a sentence modifier emerged later in American English.