Definition of: likely

(līk′lē) adjective ·li·er, ·li·est
1. Apparently true or real; plausible; probable.
2. Reasonably to be expected; liable.
3. Apt to please; promising.
4. Well adapted for the purpose.
—adverb Probably. Synonyms: (adj.): apt, credible, liable, presumable, probable, reasonable. Apt implies a natural fitness or tendency: An impetuous person is apt to speak hastily. Liable refers to a contingency regarded as unfavorable: The ship was liable to founder at any moment. Likely refers to a contingent event regarded as very probable: An industrious worker is likely to succeed. Credible signifies readily to be believed: a credible narrative; likely in such connection is used ironically to signify the reverse: a likely story! A thing is presumable which, from what is known, may be taken for granted in advance of proof. Reasonable in this connection signifies such as the reason can be satisfied with, independently of external grounds for belief or disbelief. Compare APPARENT, PROBABLE. Antonyms: doubtful, dubious, improbable, incredible, questionable, unlikely.