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

The Psychology Behind Team Building, that probably benefited from her association with the team. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

The 20-day has turned up and appears to be crossing the 50, and LVS has outperformed the S&P since the beginning of H2 26; those who want to try to call the rebound early should probably consider calls for the job. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

If two friends usually exchange a couple emails a month, a week of quiet probably doesn't mean much. — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

But before any company can send a full-scale extractor to the Moon to attempt to sift through regolith and collect helium-3, someone should probably attempt to determine whether this is physically practical. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 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