likely

Expected to be true or to happen.

• Rain is likely tomorrow.
• He is likely to arrive late.
• It seems likely that they forgot the date.

How to use it: be likely to do something (We are likely to finish early.); it is likely that… (It is likely that prices will rise.)

Similar words: probable

Opposites: unlikely

Common phrases: likely outcome, likely to happen, seem likely, likely result

Used to say that you expect something to be true or to happen.

• They will likely come tomorrow.
• She most likely left her phone at home.
• The repairs will likely cost more than we expected.

Similar words: probably

Common phrases: will likely happen, most likely, would likely agree, will likely win