Entry Word: likely

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 having a high chance of occurring <if you donʼt do well in school, your likely fate is a low-paying job>

Synonyms probable

Related Words conceivable, earthly, imaginable, possible, potential; apt, bound, certain, doubtless, inescapable, inevitable, necessary, sure, unavoidable

Near Antonyms impossible, inconceivable, unimaginable

Antonyms doubtful, dubious, improbable, questionable, unlikely

2 having qualities which inspire hope <this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing> — see hopeful 1
3 worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable <we didnʼt find her excuse a very likely story> — see believable