likely
gb/lˈaɪkli/ us/lˈaɪkli/
B1
Inglês
~ 500
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B1
property
1
probable or expected
Probably going to happen or be true.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is likely [to do something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'likely' with 'maybe', but 'likely' expresses a higher degree of certainty.
Sinónimos
probable (Slightly more formal and used in both spoken and written contexts.)
Antónimos
unlikely (Indicates a low chance or probability of happening.)
Colocações
most likely
|quite likely
|very likely
|likely outcome
|likely cause
Temas
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- It’s likely that we’ll see rain this afternoon.
- She is the most likely candidate for the job.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- It is likely to rain today.
- She is likely to come to the party.
- He will likely be late.
- This is the most likely answer.
- It is likely that we will win.
adverb
B1
property
2
probably
Probably; with a good chance of happening.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] will likely [do something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes place 'likely' incorrectly in a sentence; it usually comes before the verb when used as an adverb.
Sinónimos
probably (More common in everyday speech; 'likely' as an adverb is slightly more formal in some contexts.)
Antónimos
unlikely (Indicates little chance of something happening.)
Colocações
will likely
|most likely
|quite likely
Temas
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- They will likely arrive late due to traffic.
- He will likely get the promotion this year.
- The storm will likely hit the coast by morning.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He will likely come tomorrow.
- We will likely eat at home.
- She will likely call you later.
adjective
B2
property
3
suitable or appropriate
Seeming right or suitable for something.
Padrão de uso:
[someone/something] is a likely [candidate/person/choice] for [something]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this use with probability meaning; here it means 'appropriate' rather than 'probable'.
Sinónimos
suitable (Focuses on being appropriate or fitting rather than probable.)
Antónimos
unsuitable (Not fitting or appropriate for a purpose.)
Colocações
likely choice
|likely candidate
Temas
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She is a likely choice for team leader.
- This is the most likely place to find him.
- He’s a likely candidate for the scholarship.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- She is a likely leader.
- This is a likely place to wait.
- He is a likely winner.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
likely
IPA
GB/lˈaɪkli/
US/lˈaɪkli/
Sílabas e acento
likely (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (likely)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: likely
- Comparative: likelier
- Superlative: likeliest
Família de palavras
Forms
likelier
adjective
likeliest
adjective
Core family
likelihood
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unlikely
adjective B1
unlikelihood
noun
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- It's more than likely that it will rain tomorrow.
- She’s more than likely going to accept the job offer.