probably
adverb
prob·a·bly
ˈprä-bə-blē 
ˈprä(b)-blē
: insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt
is probably happy
it will probably rain
Examples of probably in a Sentence
The impact probably added all but the last few percent of Earth's mass and set the stage for Earth's and the Moon's subsequent evolution.
—
Mark Wilson, Physics Today, February 2008
It was no secret that McKay preferred the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, and that, along with his innocent optimism and snark-free sincerity, probably makes him hopelessly old-fashioned.
—Richard Hoffer, Sports Illustrated, 16 June 2008
But what these newly inaugurated gym rats probably don't know is that besides buffing up their bodies for summer, they're also buffing up their brains.
—Christen Brownlee, Science News, 25 Feb. 2006
It will probably rain today.
They will probably be here soon.
It was probably the best concert I've ever been to.
There were probably about 150 people at the wedding.
“Are you going to the picnic?” “Probably.”
“Can you finish painting the room today?” “Probably not.”
Mark Wilson, Physics Today, February 2008
It was no secret that McKay preferred the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, and that, along with his innocent optimism and snark-free sincerity, probably makes him hopelessly old-fashioned.
—Richard Hoffer, Sports Illustrated, 16 June 2008
But what these newly inaugurated gym rats probably don't know is that besides buffing up their bodies for summer, they're also buffing up their brains.
—Christen Brownlee, Science News, 25 Feb. 2006
It will probably rain today.
They will probably be here soon.
It was probably the best concert I've ever been to.
There were probably about 150 people at the wedding.
“Are you going to the picnic?” “Probably.”
“Can you finish painting the room today?” “Probably not.”
Recent Examples on the Web
This force, estimated at about 150,000 projectiles, is capable of striking anywhere in Israel and probably of overwhelming its air-defense systems.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2024
And in fact, there has been some improvement in humanitarian aid getting into Gaza, probably because of the president putting pressure on Netanyahu.
—Michael Levitt, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
An exceedingly close contest With the election now just over six months away, the vast majority of voters, probably about 9 in 10, have made up their minds.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Irving showed a concerning lack of explosiveness at the combine considering his size, but his floor is probably as a complementary back who can make an impact as a third-down specialist.
48.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
The festival continues with probably choir-less headlining sets from Miranda Lambert Saturday and Morgan Wallen Sunday.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024
This also probably explains why plasma induction lighting isn’t recommended by expert growers.
—Anna Miller, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
Smoker Type: Electric These models operate much like a stove and are probably the easiest to operate right out of the box—just plug in, add fuel, water, and food.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024
Loyola has completed its season at 25-1-1 and will probably be the No. 1 seed for the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2024
And in fact, there has been some improvement in humanitarian aid getting into Gaza, probably because of the president putting pressure on Netanyahu.
—Michael Levitt, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
An exceedingly close contest With the election now just over six months away, the vast majority of voters, probably about 9 in 10, have made up their minds.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Irving showed a concerning lack of explosiveness at the combine considering his size, but his floor is probably as a complementary back who can make an impact as a third-down specialist.
48.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
The festival continues with probably choir-less headlining sets from Miranda Lambert Saturday and Morgan Wallen Sunday.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024
This also probably explains why plasma induction lighting isn’t recommended by expert growers.
—Anna Miller, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
Smoker Type: Electric These models operate much like a stove and are probably the easiest to operate right out of the box—just plug in, add fuel, water, and food.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024
Loyola has completed its season at 25-1-1 and will probably be the No. 1 seed for the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'probably.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near probably
Cite this Entry
“Probably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probably. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
probably
adverb
prob·a·bly
ˈpräb-(ə-)blē
ˈpräb-lē
: without much doubt : very likely
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