likely
gb/lˈaɪkli/ us/lˈaɪkli/
B1
English
~ 500
valószínű, esélyes, várható, valószínűleg, várhatóan, alkalmas, megfelelő, kézenfekvő
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is likely [to do something]
It’s likely that we’ll see rain this afternoon.
Valószínű, hogy ma délután esni fog.
She is the most likely candidate for the job.
Ő a legesélyesebb jelölt az állásra.
Given the evidence, it seems likely he will be found guilty.
The likely outcome is that the team will win.
A likely explanation is that he forgot the meeting.
Learner examples
It is likely to rain today.
Valószínű, hogy ma esni fog.
She is likely to come to the party.
Valószínű, hogy eljön a partira.
He will likely be late.
This is the most likely answer.
It is likely that we will win.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'likely' with 'maybe', but 'likely' expresses a higher degree of certainty.
Meaning
probable or expected
Collocations
most likely
|quite likely
|very likely
|likely outcome
|likely cause
Synonyms
probable (Slightly more formal and used in both spoken and written contexts.)
Antonyms
unlikely (Indicates a low chance or probability of happening.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Probably going to happen or be true.
Having a high chance or probability of being true or of happening.
B1
2
valószínűleg
A2
várhatóan
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] will likely [do something]
They will likely arrive late due to traffic.
Valószínűleg a forgalom miatt késni fognak.
He will likely get the promotion this year.
Valószínűleg idén megkapja az előléptetést.
The storm will likely hit the coast by morning.
Learner examples
He will likely come tomorrow.
Valószínűleg holnap eljön.
We will likely eat at home.
Valószínűleg otthon fogunk enni.
She will likely call you later.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes place 'likely' incorrectly in a sentence; it usually comes before the verb when used as an adverb.
Meaning
probably
Collocations
will likely
|most likely
|quite likely
Synonyms
probably (More common in everyday speech; 'likely' as an adverb is slightly more formal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
unlikely (Indicates little chance of something happening.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Probably; with a good chance of happening.
In a manner suggesting a high chance or probability of being true or happening.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a likely [candidate/person/choice] for [something]
She is a likely choice for team leader.
Ő megfelelő választás csapatvezetőnek.
This is the most likely place to find him.
Ez a legkézenfekvőbb hely, ahol kereshetjük.
He’s a likely candidate for the scholarship.
Learner examples
She is a likely leader.
Alkalmas vezető lenne.
This is a likely place to wait.
Ez megfelelő hely a várakozásra.
He is a likely winner.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with probability meaning; here it means 'appropriate' rather than 'probable'.
Meaning
suitable or appropriate
Collocations
likely choice
|likely candidate
Synonyms
suitable (Focuses on being appropriate or fitting rather than probable.)
Antonyms
unsuitable (Not fitting or appropriate for a purpose.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Seeming right or suitable for something.
Appearing suitable, fitting, or appropriate for a particular purpose or role.
Grammar
Dictionary form
likely
IPA
GB/lˈaɪkli/
US/lˈaɪkli/
Syllables & stress
likely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (likely)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: likely
- Comparative: likelier
- Superlative: likeliest
Word family
Forms
likelier
adjective
likeliest
adjective
Core family
likelihood
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unlikely
adjective B1
unlikelihood
noun
Expressions
as likely as not
2/ˈæz lˈaɪkli ˈæz nˈɑt/
fixed phrase
about equally probable either way
About as much chance of happening as not happening.
Examples
- As likely as not, he’ll be late again.
- The plan will, as likely as not, change before next week.
most likely
1/mˈoʊst lˈaɪkli/
fixed phrase
with greatest probability
With the highest chance of happening or being true.
Examples
- Most likely, he will accept the offer.
- She will most likely call you tomorrow.
more than likely
1/mˈɔɹ ðən lˈaɪkli/
fixed phrase
informal
very probably
Almost certainly; very probably.
Examples
- He’s more than likely to forget his keys again.
- It’s more than likely that they’ll win the game.
more than likely
2/mˈɔɹ ðən lˈaɪkli/
fixed phrase
Very probable or certain
Almost certain to happen.
Examples
- It's more than likely that it will rain tomorrow.
- She’s more than likely going to accept the job offer.