likely
likely — adjective
1. When you say that an event or situation is likely, you mean that there are clear
When you say that an event or situation is likely, you mean that there are clear grounds to think it will happen or is true.
Caleb is likely to get the job offer after such a strong interview.
likely + to-infinitive for prediction
It is likely that the morning flight will be delayed by fog.
it is likely that + clause
A change in the weather is likely before the weekend arrives.
The most likely date for the wedding falls in early June.
Young children are far less likely to understand complex rules on their own.
- unlikely
the direct opposite in all three grammatical patterns
- improbable
more formal counterpart of 'unlikely'
文法句型
it is likely (that) + clause
subject + be + likely + to-infinitive
the most/least likely + noun
用法筆記
This sense can take three main structures: (1) a that-clause after 'it is likely,' (2) a to-infinitive after the subject, or (3) a noun phrase directly describing the outcome. The first two patterns are interchangeable in most contexts, but pattern (1) is slightly more formal.
常見錯誤
2. Something that appears to be a good choice or well suited for a particular purpo
Something that appears to be a good choice or well suited for a particular purpose or role.
The old barn looks like a likely place for the film crew to set up their equipment.
likely + noun + for + purpose
Tara seemed the most likely candidate to replace the retiring manager.
most likely candidate + to-infinitive
We walked past several likely camping spots before choosing this one by the river.
The south-facing wall of the garden is a likely spot for the new greenhouse.
- suitable
more general and neutral; 'likely' adds a sense of promise or expectation
- promising
focuses on future potential rather than current suitability
- appropriate
emphasises correctness for a particular situation or purpose
- unsuitable
the direct opposite in terms of fitness for a purpose
- unlikely
can also mean 'not suitable' in this sense, but 'unsuitable' is clearer
文法句型
a likely + noun + for (purpose/role)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (PROBABLE), this sense is almost always placed directly before a noun ('a likely candidate,' 'a likely spot'). It is not used in the patterns 'it is likely that…' or 'subject is likely to…' with this meaning.
常見錯誤
3. Describes a story, claim, or explanation that people can believe because it seem
Describes a story, claim, or explanation that people can believe because it seems reasonable and fits the known facts.
The driver's account of the crash seemed a likely explanation to the police.
likely + noun = believable
Élise offered a likely reason for the missing files, so the supervisor let the matter drop.
His story sounded likely enough that the jury accepted his version of what happened at the scene.
The suspect's alibi was not likely enough to convince the detective on the case.
Dewi gave a likely account of what happened at the meeting, so the committee accepted her report.
- credible
direct synonym; more formal and unambiguous than 'likely' for this sense
- plausible
emphasises surface-level believability rather than deep credibility
- reasonable
broader in meaning; can refer to logical soundness beyond believability
- implausible
a story or claim that does not seem believable
- far-fetched
informal; describes a story that is too strange to believe
文法句型
a likely + noun (story, explanation, account)
subject + be + likely + enough
用法筆記
This sense is about trustworthiness, not probability. A story can be 'likely' (credible/reasonable) even if the event it describes has a low chance of being true. The fixed phrase 'a likely story' often carries a sarcastic tone, meaning the opposite ('that story is not believable').
常見錯誤
likely — adverb
1. Used as an adverb meaning 'probably,' usually in the fixed phrase 'most likely'
Used as an adverb meaning 'probably,' usually in the fixed phrase 'most likely' or 'very likely,' to say that something is strongly expected to happen or be true.
The train will most likely arrive late because of the signal problems up ahead.
will most likely + verb for strong probability
Hiro will most likely be promoted to team leader by the end of this year.
Most likely, the company will announce the new policy on Monday morning.
If you leave now, you will most likely miss the worst of the evening traffic.
- probably
more neutral and widely accepted in both formal and informal registers
- presumably
formal; implies the speaker is making a logical assumption
文法句型
subject + will/most likely + verb
Most likely, + clause
用法筆記
Using bare 'likely' as a standalone adverb ('He'll likely come') is informal and primarily American English. In formal writing, 'most likely,' 'very likely,' or 'probably' are preferred. In British English, 'likely' as an adverb is rare and considered non-standard.
常見錯誤
2. A fixed phrase meaning 'probably' or 'in all likelihood,' used to suggest that s
A fixed phrase meaning 'probably' or 'in all likelihood,' used to suggest that something is at least as likely to happen as not.
As likely as not, the meeting will run past five o'clock this evening.
as likely as not at start of clause
Gabriela will as likely as not forget her umbrella on another rainy day.
will + as likely as not + verb
The repair will as likely as not cost more than the bike is worth right now.
As likely as not, Caleb will end up running late for the first appointment of the day.
- in all likelihood
more formal equivalent with the same meaning
- probably
neutral, more common in everyday speech
文法句型
As likely as not, + clause
subject + as likely as not + verb
用法筆記
This phrase behaves like 'most likely' — it can go before the verb or at the start of the sentence. It sounds slightly informal and is more common in spoken English than in formal writing.
3. A fixed phrase meaning 'very probably,' used to say that something is almost cer
A fixed phrase meaning 'very probably,' used to say that something is almost certain to happen or be true.
Quan will more than likely accept the scholarship offer from the university.
will + more than likely + verb for near-certainty
More than likely, the power will be back on before dinner time tonight.
more than likely at start of sentence
The storm will more than likely force the school to close for the day.
The cost of the repairs will more than likely exceed the original estimate by a large margin.
- almost certainly
more formal; expresses near-total certainty
- very probably
slightly more formal than 'more than likely'
文法句型
More than likely, + clause
subject + will + more than likely + verb
用法筆記
This phrase expresses a higher degree of certainty than 'most likely' or 'as likely as not.' It is close in meaning to 'almost certainly' and is common in everyday conversation.
4. A fixed exclamation used to express strong disagreement, refusal, or disbelief i
A fixed exclamation used to express strong disagreement, refusal, or disbelief in response to a suggestion or statement.
Me? Join a dance class? Not likely — I have two left feet!
not likely as an emphatic refusal
Eitan asked if Kian would lend him money again. 'Not likely!' Kian laughed and shook his head.
You think I would pay for that broken vase? Not likely — it was cracked before I touched it.
'Not likely!' exclaimed Justin when his brother asked him to share the last piece of cake.
- no way
even more informal; expresses stronger refusal
- absolutely not
formal equivalent; less emotional but equally firm
- of course
expresses strong agreement instead of refusal
文法句型
Not likely! — standalone exclamation
用法筆記
This sense is closely related to the dismissive use of the phrase 'a likely story!' When someone says 'Not likely!' they are rejecting the idea as improbable or unacceptable. It is strongly informal and should not be used in formal writing.