likely

adj

Etymology: From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent to like + -ly (adjectival suffix).

1. Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.

   “Rain is likely later this afternoon.”

   “His parents — a restless, titanically self-involved father and a mother who cultivated her inner life in strict solitude — seem a much likelier source for his condition.”

2. Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.

   “Do you think there's likely to be snow?”

   “He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.”

3. Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.

   “Jones is a likely candidate for management.”

   “The relationship with social status is a likely topic for investigation.”

4. Plausible; within the realm of credibility.

   “not a very likely excuse.”

   “The DPRK propagated an extraordinary tale of his birth occurring on Mount Baekdu, one of Korea's most revered sites, being accompanied by shooting stars in the sky. It is more likely that he was born in a small village in the USSR, while his father was serving as a Soviet-backed general during the second world war.”

5. Leading with high probability to some specified outcome.

   “a likely recipe for disaster.”

6. Attractive; pleasant.

   “I found a likely spot under a shady tree for the picnic.”

7. Similar; like; alike.

   “For love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent”

adv

Etymology: From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċe (“equally”) and Old Norse líkliga, glíkliga (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *līkalīka, equivalent to like + -ly (adverbial suffix).

1. Probably.

   “Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.”

   “He’ll likely win the election in this economy.”

2. Similarly.

name

1. A surname.
2. A census-designated place in Modoc County, California, United States.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent to like + -ly (adjectival suffix).

1. Something or somebody considered likely.