| / English Dictionary |
LIKELY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Within the realm of credibility
Example:
not a very likely excuse
Classified under:
Similar:
believable; credible (capable of being believed)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
Example:
likely candidates for the job
Classified under:
Similar:
apt; liable (at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant)
probable (apparently destined)
promising (showing possibility of achievement or excellence)
Also:
possible (capable of happening or existing)
Attribute:
likelihood; likeliness (the probability of a specified outcome)
Antonym:
unlikely (has little chance of being the case or coming about)
Derivation:
likeliness (the probability of a specified outcome)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Likely but not certain to be or become true or real
Example:
he foresaw a probable loss
Synonyms:
likely; probable
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
equiprobable (equally probable)
presumptive (having a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance)
verisimilar (appearing to be true or real)
Derivation:
likeliness (the probability of a specified outcome)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Expected to become or be; in prospect
Example:
potential clients
Synonyms:
likely; potential
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
prospective (of or concerned with or related to the future)
Derivation:
likeliness (the probability of a specified outcome)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
With considerable certainty; without much doubt
Example:
in all likelihood we are headed for war
Synonyms:
belike; in all likelihood; in all probability; likely; probably
Classified under:
Context examples:
This half-transporter likely plays a role in mitochondrial function.
(ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 6, NCI Thesaurus)
Although the mechanism of plasmodicidal action has not been fully elucidated, like other quinoline derivatives, amodiaquine likely is able to inhibit heme polymerase activity in the body.
(Amodiaquine, NCI Thesaurus)
Encoded by human BCAR2 Gene, Breast Cancer Anti-Estrogen Resistance 2 Protein is similar to gamma-butyrobetaine 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase (C. elegans, Drosophila) and likely responsible for development of an anti-estrogen-resistant phenotype.
(Breast Cancer Anti-Estrogen Resistance 2 Protein, NCI Thesaurus)
Bone mass measurements are used to diagnose osteoporosis (a condition marked by decreased bone mass), to see how well osteoporosis treatments are working, and to predict how likely the bones are to break.
(Bone mass, NCI Dictionary)
BMD measurements are used to diagnose osteoporosis (a condition marked by decreased bone mass), to see how well osteoporosis treatments are working, and to predict how likely the bones are to break.
(BMD, NCI Dictionary)
When inhaled, these particles are likely to reach deeply into the lungs.
(Airborne Particulate Matter, NCI Thesaurus)
Types of cancer that are more likely to occur in people who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
(AIDS-related cancer, NCI Dictionary)
And is that likely to satisfy me, do you think?
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
“And there! D’ye hear that? Blown by mouth. Some scow schooner, most likely. Better watch out, Mr. Schooner-man. Ah, I thought so. Now hell’s a poppin’ for somebody!”
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
He was very likely afraid to go back to the room.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
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