LIKELY


Meaning of LIKELY in English

adj.

Pronunciation: ' l ī -kl ē

Function: adjective

Inflected Form: like · li · er ; -est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gel ī clic fitting (fr. gel ī c like) and Old Norse gl ī kligr, l ī kligr, from gl ī kr like; akin to Old English gel ī c

Date: 14th century

1 : having a high probability of occurring or being true : very probable <rain is likely today>

2 : apparently qualified : SUITABLE <a likely place>

3 : RELIABLE , CREDIBLE <a likely enough story>

4 : PROMISING <a likely candidate>

5 : ATTRACTIVE <a likely child>

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.