Likely is a common English word used to talk about something that has a good chance of happening, or something that seems plausibleseeming reasonable and believable, even if not certain or credibleworthy of being believed; convincing or trustworthy. It can also mean “probably” when used as an adverba word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈlaɪkli/
Easy pronunciation: LIKE-lee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Primary sense here is the adjective meaning probable or expected to happen.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Likely Meaning
probable; expected to happen
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
Example: Rain is likely later this afternoon.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- probable — Direct adjective synonym for the main everyday sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Likely
Meaning 2
probably
Part of speech: adverb
Definition: with considerable certainty; without much doubt
Example: He will likely arrive by noon.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- probably — Direct adverb equivalent in normal modern use.
- in all likelihood — Correct phrase, though more formal than likely.
- in all probability — Correct phrase, but more formal and less common in everyday speech.
Meaning 3
likely to happen or be the one chosen; expected
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: expected to become or be; in prospect
Example: She is a likely candidate for promotion.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- potential — Can fit in some contexts, but it usually means having the ability to develop, so it is not a close general substitute.
Meaning 4
believable; plausible
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: within the realm of credibility
Example: That's not a very likely excuse.
Meaning 5
plausible; expected but not guaranteed
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: likely but not certain to be or become true or real
Example: A likely result is that prices will rise.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Likely Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- probable
- probably
Adverb: with considerable certainty; without much doubt
- probably
- in all likelihood
- in all probability
Adjective: expected to become or be; in prospect
- potential
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use likely as an adverb in formal writing if you mean the plain everyday word probably, unless that style is acceptable in your context.
- Do not confuse likely with unlikely, which means the opposite.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does likely mean?
Likely means something has a good chance of happening, or that something seems probable. It can also mean “probably” when used as an adverb.
What is a simple synonym for likely?
A strong simple synonym is probable. For the adverb use, probably is the closest match.
Is likely an adjective or an adverb?
It is both. The adjective means “probable” or “expected,” and the adverb means “probably.”
What is the opposite of likely?
The usual opposite is unlikely.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.