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

Synonyms of probably

• likely
• perhaps
• maybe

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.”

Recent Examples on the Web

More importantly, bonds are also almost certainly bigger than the traditional banking system—and probably crossed that mark sometime in the past decade, for the first time since both were invented a millennium ago. — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Sure, the answers will probably matter, and the possibilities could be varying degrees of satisfying or disappointing. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

For a certain demographic, teens have probably seen that video multiple times, but most of the population hasn’t. — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

The new moon in Libra on October 10 is an opportunity to hit the reset button with each other, but this is one of those moments where peace can probably only be achieved through conflict. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see probable entry 1

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probably

• improbably

Kids Definition

probably

adverb

prob·​a·​bly ˈpräb-(ə-)blē 

ˈpräb-lē

: without much doubt : very likely