likely Meaning, Definition & Usage

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
adjective likely but not certain to be or become true or real
probable.
- a likely result
- he foresaw a probable loss
adjective satellite expected to become or be; in prospect
potential.
- potential clients
adjective satellite within the realm of credibility
- not a very likely excuse
adverb with considerable certainty; without much doubt
belike; probably; in all likelihood; in all probability.
- He is probably out of the country
- in all likelihood we are headed for war

That is, like-like. See Like, a.

comparative Likelier ; superlative Likeliest

Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story.
It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. Johnson.
Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain.
Similar; like; alike. Obs. Spenser.
Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. Shak. Milton.
Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.

In all probability; probably.
While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. Glanvill.