likely
likely — 形容詞
1. When you say that an event or situation is likely, you mean that there are clear
可能
有很高機會發生或成真
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.
Caleb 在面試表現那麼出色之後，很可能會拿到這份工作機會。
likely + to-infinitive for prediction
It is likely that the morning flight will be delayed by fog.
早上的航班很可能因為濃霧而延誤。
it is likely that + clause
A change in the weather is likely before the weekend arrives.
週末前天氣很可能會有所變化。
The most likely date for the wedding falls in early June.
婚禮最可能的日期定在六月初。
Young children are far less likely to understand complex rules on their own.
年幼的孩子自己理解複雜規則的可能性要低得多。
- 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
合適
看起來適合某個用途或角色
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.
那間舊穀倉看起來是電影工作團隊架設設備的合適地點。
likely + noun + for + purpose
Tara seemed the most likely candidate to replace the retiring manager.
Tara 看起來是取代退休經理的合適人選。
most likely candidate + to-infinitive
We walked past several likely camping spots before choosing this one by the river.
我們經過了好幾個適合露營的地點，最後選了河邊這個。
The south-facing wall of the garden is a likely spot for the new greenhouse.
花園朝南的牆是蓋新溫室的好位置。
- 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
可信
看起來合理而能令人相信
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.
司機對於車禍的描述在警方看來是一個可信的解釋。
likely + noun = believable
Élise offered a likely reason for the missing files, so the supervisor let the matter drop.
Élise 為檔案遺失提出了一個合理的理由，主管就不再追究了。
His story sounded likely enough that the jury accepted his version of what happened at the scene.
他的說詞聽起來十分可信，陪審團因而接受了他對現場情況的描述。
The suspect's alibi was not likely enough to convince the detective on the case.
嫌疑人的不在場證明不夠可信，無法說服承辦該案的警探。
Dewi gave a likely account of what happened at the meeting, so the committee accepted her report.
Dewi 對會議經過的描述相當可信，委員會因此接受了她提交的報告。
- 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 — 副詞
1. Used as an adverb meaning 'probably,' usually in the fixed phrase 'most likely'
很可能
用於修飾整句，表示推測
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.
由於前面有號誌問題，這班火車很可能會延誤抵達。
will most likely + verb for strong probability
Hiro will most likely be promoted to team leader by the end of this year.
Hiro 今年底很可能會升任小組組長。
Most likely, the company will announce the new policy on Monday morning.
很可能公司在週一早上就會宣布新政策。
If you leave now, you will most likely miss the worst of the evening traffic.
如果你現在出發，很可能可以避開傍晚最塞車的時段。
- 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
說不定
表示可能性相當的行為或情況
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.
會議說不定會開到今天下午五點以後。
as likely as not at start of clause
Gabriela will as likely as not forget her umbrella on another rainy day.
Gabriela 說不定又會在雨天忘了帶傘。
will + as likely as not + verb
The repair will as likely as not cost more than the bike is worth right now.
修理費說不定比這輛腳踏車目前的價值還要高。
As likely as not, Caleb will end up running late for the first appointment of the day.
說不定 Caleb 今天的第一次約會又要遲到了。
- 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
極可能
表示可能性非常高
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.
Quan 極有可能接受那所大學提供的獎學金。
will + more than likely + verb for near-certainty
More than likely, the power will be back on before dinner time tonight.
極有可能在晚餐時間之前就會恢復供電。
more than likely at start of sentence
The storm will more than likely force the school to close for the day.
這場暴風雨極有可能迫使學校明天停課。
The cost of the repairs will more than likely exceed the original estimate by a large margin.
這項維修費用極有可能比原先的估價高出許多。
- 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
不可能！
表示強烈否定或拒絕相信
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!
我？去上舞蹈課？不可能！我跳舞笨手笨腳的！
not likely as an emphatic refusal
Eitan asked if Kian would lend him money again. 'Not likely!' Kian laughed and shook his head.
Eitan 問 Kian 能不能再借他錢。「不可能！」Kian 笑著搖了搖頭。
You think I would pay for that broken vase? Not likely — it was cracked before I touched it.
你覺得我會賠那個破花瓶？不可能——我碰到之前它早就裂了！
'Not likely!' exclaimed Justin when his brother asked him to share the last piece of cake.
Justin 的弟弟問他能不能分到最後一塊蛋糕，他大聲說：「不可能！」
- 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.