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likely
[ lahyk-lee ]
adjective
- probably or apparently destined (usually followed by an infinitive):
something not likely to happen.
- seeming like truth, fact, or certainty; reasonably to be believed or expected; believable:
a likely story.
- seeming to fulfill requirements or expectations; apparently suitable:
a likely place for a restaurant.
Synonyms: appropriate
- showing promise of achievement or excellence; promising:
a fine, likely young man.
adverb
We will likely stay home this evening.
likely
/ ˈlaɪklɪ /
adjective
- usually foll by an infinitive tending or inclined; apt
likely to rain
- probable
a likely result
- believable or feasible; plausible
- appropriate for a purpose or activity
- having good possibilities of success
a likely candidate
- dialect.attractive, agreeable, or enjoyable
her likely ways won her many friends
adverb
- probably or presumably
- as likely as notvery probably
Usage Note
Usage
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of likely1
Example Sentences
A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed Graham and Harrison each winning the backing of 48 percent of likely voters in the state.
If it’s good enough for likely half the cantinas in Mexico, it’s good enough for your Netflix party.
Sara Gideon, the Democratic speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, leads Collins, 54 percent to 42 percent, among likely voters in the Quinnipiac University poll, which was released Wednesday.
Most likely that would be in the form of passage of the Equality Act.
Perhaps most notably, a poll released on Tuesday by Monmouth University found Biden up by 3 to 5 points among likely voters, depending on turnout.
“I'm deeply suspicious obviously because he went to China,” said the man-most-likely-to-accuse-you-of-being-a-spy, Dick Cheney.
If not, then what happens to his case that Romney would be less-likely to spark a war with Iran?
All these most-likely-innocent people, subjected to such hard looks.
The 50 likely-votes would be targeted by the right and face howling pressure.
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards seemed doomed to risk their presidencies on a likely-to-fail big bang health-care initiative.
But it is no use digging here; it was full five-and-twenty miles from here the likely-looking place.
He was a likely-lookin' chap enough, but very dark-complected an' sallow-like, with a bad eye, showin' a lot o' the white.
The feller said to him, seein' me drive up: 'That's a putty likely-lookin' hoss.
My idea is, said David, that we get the Argo and sail round the island till we sight a likely-looking cliff.
It was a grand place for birds' nests, and we made very slow progress as we poked about, peering into every likely-looking spot.
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