likely
adjective/ˈlaɪkli/
(comparative likelier, superlative likeliest)
more likely and most likely are more frequentСлово англійською: likely
Переклад likely українською: зручний, ймовірно, можливий
Детальний опис
- having a good chance of happening or being something; probable or expected
- the most likely explanation/outcome/scenario
- the likely cause/consequence
- a likely nominee/contender/winner
- A threat level of ‘Severe’ means a terrorist attack is highly likely.
- They might ask for help or, more likely, just give up.
- likely to do something Tickets are likely to be expensive.
- The beetles are likely to cause damage.
- There is likely to be heavy snowfall.
- likely (that)… It's hardly likely (that) they'll refuse.
- It is quite likely the discussion may never take place.
Express Yourself Expressing likelihoodExpressing likelihoodWhen you are talking about possible situations, you can express how likely you think they are:- It's pretty much inevitable that prices will go up this year.
- I think it's likely to rain this afternoon.
- I’m probably going to be away then.
- I guess there's a fifty per cent chance that they'll say no.
- It's unlikely, but not totally impossible, I suppose.
- They can't possibly be serious about buying a boat!
- It can't really be all that difficult, can it?
- Let's start without them. They're bound to be late.
Language Bank expectexpectDiscussing predictions- By 2050, one in six people on the planet will be aged 65 or over.
- The number of people globally aged 65 and over is expected/likely to double by 2050.
- It is predicted that the over-65s will make up 17 per cent of the global population by 2050.
- Experts have forecast that the number of people over 65 will rise to 1.6 billion by 2050.
- World population is set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
- Net migration into the UK over the last decade was higher than expected.
- Overall population growth in the UK has been in line with predictions.
- seeming suitable for a purpose synonym promising
- She seems the most likely candidate for the job.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse líkligr, from líkr; related to alike.
Idioms
a likely story
- (informal, ironic) used to show that you do not believe what somebody has said
- You just found it lying in the street? A likely story!
- He said he'd met Rihanna. A likely story.