adjective

likely

likely, probable

It's likely to rain tomorrow.

It's likely to rain tomorrow.

She is the likely winner.

She is the likely winner.

((sb./sth.)) is likely ((to-inf)) to be probable to do sth. She is likely to win.

It is likely ((that ...)) it is probable that... It is likely that it will rain.

Synonyms: probable, possible; Antonyms: unlikely, improbable

From Old Norse 'líkligr', from 'líkr' (like). So, 'like-ly' means 'having the appearance of' being true or happening.

Think 'it looks *like* it will happen'.

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