1like·ly 
/ˈlaɪkli/ adjective
like·li·er; like·li·est /ˈlaɪkli/ adjective [or more likely; most likely] 1 — used to indicate the chance that something will happen ▪ The car is likely to break down soon. = It's likely that the car will break down soon. [=there is a good chance that the car will break down soon] ▪ It is/seems highly/very likely that it will rain tomorrow. ▪ She doesn't seem likely to get the job. ▪ She may get the job, but it isn't likely. ▪ “Will she get the job?” “Not likely.” [=she probably will not get the job] ▪ It's more than likely [=very probable] that this problem will occur again. 2 : seeming to be true : believable
▪ That seems to be the most likely explanation. ◊The phrase a likely story is often used in an informal way to say that you do not believe what someone has said.
▪ He says he bought all that chocolate for his daughter, not himself. A likely story! 3 always used before a noun : seeming to be right or suited for a purpose
▪ This looks like a likely spot for a picnic. ▪ They regard him as a likely candidate for the job.
▪ That seems to be the most likely explanation. ◊The phrase a likely story is often used in an informal way to say that you do not believe what someone has said.
▪ He says he bought all that chocolate for his daughter, not himself. A likely story!
▪ This looks like a likely spot for a picnic. ▪ They regard him as a likely candidate for the job.
— like·li·ness noun [noncount]
