likely, a. and adv.
(ˈlaɪklɪ)
Forms: 4 licly, lickli, likliche, 4–6 likly, lyk(e)ly, 5–6 lik(e)li, 5–7 Sc. likl(i)e, 4– likely.
[a. ON. l{iacu}klig-r (also gl{iacu}klig-r), f. l{iacu}k-r (gl{iacu}k-r) like a. + -lig-r -ly1. (OE. had the equivalent ᵹel{iacu}clic.)]
A. adj.
† 1. Having a resemblance, like, similar. Const. till, to. Also, resembling the original, portraying accurately. Obs.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 4852 For he shulde setten al his wil To geten a likly thing him til. ? a 1425 Cursor M. 21132 (Trin.) Þei were likely eiþer to oþer. 1513 Douglas æneis ii. xii[i]. 64 Mast liklie a waverand sweving or dreyme [L. simillima somno]. 1530 Palsgr. 317/2 Lykly of countenance, semblable. 1596 Spenser Hymne Beautie 198 For Love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent. 1657–61 Heylin Hist. Ref. I. ii. iv. 38 Hath not the Father given us..a most excellent Mirrour, wherein to see the ill complexion of the present times? Doth not he set them forth in such likely colours, as if [etc.]. |
2. a. Having an appearance of truth or fact; that looks as if it would happen, be realized, or prove to be what is alleged or suggested; probable. † Also in advb. phrase by likely.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 44 Sum men þenken licly þat [etc.]. 1426 Paston Lett. I. 25, I herde.. no maner lykly ne credible evidence. 1436 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 501/2 To the grettest likly myschief y{supt} may falle to the said Roialme. 1545 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 101 By likely to hit the pricke alwayes is vnpossible. a 1592 H. Smith Four Serm. (1612) I 3, Hee would rather content himselfe with his present ease, then commit himselfe to so likely misery. 1605 Shakes. Lear ii. i. 11 Have you heard of no likely Warres toward? 1648 Milton Tenure Kings (1650) 25 No likelier cause can be alleg'd. 1814 Chalmers Evid. Chr. Revel. iii. 81 The apparent contradictions admit of a likely..reconciliation. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. II. xxix. 291 The green spots..would be the likely camping-ground of wayfarers. 1879 Froude Cæsar xvii. 275 The story told by Ambiorix was likely in itself. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 780 A likely source of infection. |
b. As predicate to a quasi-impersonal vb., with complement † an inf., or clause; also in parenthetical phrase, as (it) is likely or it is likely. Colloq. phr. not likely: certainly not; I refuse.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 475 But it is licly, to many men, that siluestre synnede in his hiyng. c 1386 Chaucer Doctor's T. 64 For that she wolde fleen the compaignye Where likly was to treten of folye. 1395 Purvey Remonstr. (1851) 82 We supposen, as it is licli, that King Jon [etc.]. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 6639 It was likly he was made preste At fyue and twenty ȝere at neste. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 254 b, It semeth..more lykely that he ascended up certayne steppes to y⊇ crosse. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. 152 It was likely there to have been a great fray. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 37 It is verie likelie they doe so. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. Wks. 1738 II. 116 King Edward, by force, as is likeliest, though it be not said how, reduc'd him to Peace. 1695 Ld. Preston Boeth. iii. 106 note, It is the likelier also that Catullus did intend a Reflection upon Nonius. 1696 Bp. Patrick Comm. Exod. i. 10 They had heard the Israelites discourse, it is likely, that they never meant always to stay there. 1710 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Wortley Montagu 25 Apr., 'Tis very likely you will never receive this. 1776 Ld. Stirling in Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) I. 173 It was not likely any more British troops would be sent out. 1863 F. A. Kemble Resid. in Georgia 16 It will be more likely that I should some things extenuate. 1893 G. B. Shaw Widowers' Houses ii. iv. 47 Catch him going down to collect his own rents! Not likely! 1914 ― Pygmalion (1916) iii. 153 Walk! Not bloody likely... I am going in a taxi. 1922 C. E. Montague Disenchantment x. 139 The German sentries said, ‘Go back, or we shall have to shoot.’ The Englishmen said ‘Not likely!’ advanced to the German wire, and asked again for an officer. 1934 G. B. Shaw On Rocks ii. 240 Take the land with one hand and give back its cash value to the landlords with the other! Not likely. I ask you again, do you take us for fools? |
c. As predicate to a personal vb., followed by to with inf., where he (etc.) is likely to = ‘it is likely that he will’. † Also (rarely) const. of with gerund.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 4878, I sai it noght for-qui þat yee Ne ern lickli lel men to be. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 1221 (1270) Þou me..Hast holpin þere I likly was to steruyn. 1406 Hoccleve Misrule 74 Ful seelde is seen, þat yowthe takith heede of perils, þat been likly for to fall. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 1138 Þai were likly lost to be. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 759 He was not likely to speake it of naught. a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 210 Kyng Henry the VI, thus readepted..his croune & dignitie Royall,..lykely within short space to fall agayn. a 1592 H. Smith Four Serm. (1612) I 6 b, Thou art much weaker then a Prophet,..and the likelier to haue a most greeuous fall. 1622 Donne Serm. (Judg. v. 20) 24 Men exercised in Judgement are likeliest to thinke of the last Judgement. 1653 Walton Angler vii. 154 A hole where a Pike is, or is likely to lye. 1701 W. Penn in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 79 The war is likely, and goods bear a price. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 515 ¶2, I am glad to find you are likely to be disposed of in marriage so much to your approbation. 1747 S. Fielding Fam. Lett. 90 Putting themselves to a very unnecessary Trouble to prevent that Pain which seemed not likely of befalling them. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §123 The heavy expence they were likely to be at. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 144 Lambert seemed likely to be the first of these rulers. 1896 Law Times C. 466/2 The coronet..did not so closely resemble a Royal Crown as to be likely to be taken for it. |
3. Apparently suitable or qualified (for a purpose or an action); apparently able or fitted (to do or to be something expressed or implied).
| c 1375 St. Leg. Saints xxxvi. (Ioh. Baptista) 837 A basare..stark & likly als but let to strik in twa his als. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 1174 Dido, Me thynkith that he is..likli for to ben a man. c 1393 ― Scogan 32 That ben so lykly folk in love to spede. c 1440 Generydes 2107 In euery wise He was a likely knyght for that Office. c 1470 Henry Wallace ii. 364 Haile he [Wallace] was, likly to gang and ryd. 1543 Act 35 Hen. VIII, c. 17 §1 Standils or Storers, likely to prove and to be Timber-trees. 1557 Act 4 & 5 Ph. & Mary c. 3 §1 Suche as were most able and lykelyest to serve well in the same. 1591 H. Smith Affin. Faithf. A 3 b, Deuising the likeliest policie to frustrate & disgrace but one of his Sermons. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iv. vi. 74 Himself Likely in time to blesse a Regall Throne. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World v. ii. §6 (1634) 597 The best and likeliest means of their common safety. 1653 Walton Angler ii. 45 We are not yet come to a likely place. 1692 R. L'Estrange Fables, Life æsop (1708) 4 He..Carry'd them [slaves] to Samos, as the Likeliest Place for a Chapman. 1712 Budgell Spect. No. 283 ¶19, I regard Trade..as the most natural and likely Method of making a Man's Fortune. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. ii. 131 This Island was the likeliest place..to meet with us. 1789 Burney Hist. Mus. (ed. 2) III. vii. 410 Lely gave me these papers as the likelyest person to get them perfected. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 365 The most likely rocks have been tried with aqua fortis. 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour (1861) I. 380, I call at every likely house in the towns or villages. |
4. a. Having the appearance, or giving evidence, of vigour or capacity; strong or capable looking. b. (Now chiefly U.S.) Of young persons (occas. of animals): Giving promise of success or excellence; promising, hopeful.
| 1454 Paston Lett. I. 265 The Duke of York..wole come with his houshold meynee, clenly beseen and likly men. a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 211 b, The kyng had..marked bothe his wit and his likely towardnes. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 48 The likeliest and ablest springals are chosen. 1686 Lond. Gaz. No. 2128/4 Tall, well-set, likely Fellows. 1725 S. Willard in Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 235, I arrived at Dunstable with a Company of very good, likely, effective men. 1793 Washington Lett. Writings 1891 XII. 381, I am very sorry to hear that so likely a young fellow..should addict himself to such courses. 1863 Advt. in Dicey Federal St. I. 254 He [a fugitive slave] is..stout and well built; very likely. 1883 Gilmour Mongols xviii. 226 Chinamen go to Mongolia in spring, buy up likely animals. |
5. [? Influenced by like v.] Of seemly or comely appearance; good-looking, handsome. ? Now U.S. and dial.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur ii. ii. 77 The damoysel beheld the poure knyght, and sawe he was a lykely man. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia i. (1590) 66 b, These young companions make themselues beleeue they love at the first liking of a likely beautie. 1728 Vanbr. & Cib. Prov. Husb. iv. i, You looked a good likely woman last night. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 325 She is very likely and genteel. 1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross I. 69 You are white, and she is brown; but you are both likely. 1807 P. Gass Jrnl. 32 The women are homely..but the young men likely and active. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xii, You'll soon get another husband—such a likely gal as you. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede xxv, That is Hetty Sorrel..a very likely young person. 1863 J. G. Murphy Comm. Gen. ii. 16–17 All the others that were likely for sight and good for food. |
† 6. Seemly, becoming, appropriate. Obs.
| c 1470 Henry Wallace vi. 379 Be wryt or word quhilk likis yow best till haiff? ‘In wryt’, thai said ‘it war the liklyast’. a 1674 Milton Wks. (1738) I. Life 44 After likely Discourses [Lot] præpares for thire entertainment. 1742 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. IV. 587 The Vessel had been cleansed and Aired in the likeliest Manner. |
† 7. was likely, also catachr. had likely: came near to do or be (etc.); = was or had like. Obs.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. ii. xxxi. 24 The..Gallis..came into y⊇ Capitoill & were lykely to haue wonne it. c 1503 J. Flamank in Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 235 Els, I hade lykly to be putt to a grett plonge for my trothe. 1652 Earl of Monmouth Hist. Warrs Flanders (1654) 274 A very hot skirmish had likely to have been, had not the King [etc.]. |
8. Comb., as likely † -looked, likely-looking adjs.
| 1709 Brit. Apollo II. No. 6. 4/2 He must be a likely-look'd Fellow. 1887 Spectator 1 Oct. 1305 The United States' Navy Board..are ready to try any likely-looking invention. 1897 M. Kingsley W. Africa 406 Big Eloby is a fine, likely-looking island. |
B. adv.
† 1. a. In a like or similar manner; similarly. b. With close resemblance (in portraiture). Obs.
| c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 3348 The faderes redemyd fro helle ioyned he til aungels likely. 1552 Huloet s.v. Sc., Sc. and Sk. bene very likely vsed. 1571 Digges Pantom. iii. xi. S b, Then are those vessels likely proportionall. ? a 1600 in Montgomerie's Poems (1887) 274 Not abill, in tabill, With colours competent, So quiklie or liklie A form to represent. |
2. Probably, in all probability.
Now chiefly most likely, very likely; otherwise rare exc. Sc. dial., or (freq.) N. Amer.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 434 Likliche hem wantiþ to be þe leeste membre þat Crist haþ ordeyned to be of his Chirche. a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 412 And likly, þat þou demest for folye Is gretter wysdom þan þou canst espye. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 104 When of one house there be three or fower brethren, likely one or two of them give themselves to trafique and merchandize. 1650 Trapp Comm. Deut. 159 And were ready to wish (likely) as the Romanes did of Augustus, that [etc.]. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xxii. ¶9 That part of his Copy..being such as his whole Copy..will likeliest Come-in alike with. 1692 E. Walker Epictetus' Mor. (1737) lvi, You're likely in the right, when blam'd by them. 1754 J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) I. 15 The young Man who is to succeed him may likely spend his Fortune. 1812 P. Dealtry Let. to Parr 17 Dec. in P.'s Wks. (1828) VIII. 363, I shall most likely say a good deal on the subject when we meet. 1859 Cornwallis New World I. 124 A quartz reef had been..abandoned, likely as unprofitable. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 21 You may be very likely right in that. 1883 Gilmour Mongols xviii. 211 Ask him where he is going..and likely he will tell you he is going to some shrine to worship. 1895 Leeds Mercury 12 Sept. 4/8 He will likely be asked afresh whether [etc.]. 1919 E. O'Neill Ile in Moon of Caribbees, etc. (1923) 10 I'm afeard there'll be trouble with the hands by the look o' things. They'll likely turn ugly{ddd}if you don't put back. 1931 ― Mourning becomes Electra i. i. 37 You've likely heard gossip. 1963 Monsanto Mag. Mar. 10/2 Beams of different frequencies likely could be obtained by varying the lasing material slightly. 1964 Amer. N. & Q. Jan. 76/2 The American public never has understood, and likely never will, the chaotic and complex character of the Indian problem during the 19th century. 1970 Toronto Daily Star 24 Sept. 12/8 The heroin addict likely will retrace or repeat many strokes of the pen, showing he is not in full control of his neuromuscular functions. 1971 Publishers' Weekly 22 Nov. 14/1 It is possible to predict that within a few years the microfiche likely will move from the library into the study and home. |
† 3. In a fit manner, fitly, suitably, reasonably.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 335 Þus in þes fyve figuris many men licly suppose þat [etc.]. c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 1442 So was that Lord receuyd..Lykly to hys plesure. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 48 The knowledge of heat that we have from the feeling of it, is far more off from the right knowledge of it, or such as may likeliest become God, than [etc.]. |
Hence † ˈlikely v. trans., to make ‘likely’ or attractive; to adorn, embellish.
| 1513 Douglas æneis i. Prol. 124 Or than to mak my sang schort sum tyme, Mair compendious, or to liklie my ryme. |
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▸ ironic. Designating a story, explanation, etc., regarded as improbable or as lacking credibility. Esp. in a likely story (freq. as int.).
| 1705 S. Centlivre Gamester 43 Hec. He'll lay himself at your Feet, with full resolution never to touch Box or Dice more. Ang. A likely matter, truly. 1748 T. Smolett Roderick Random I. xxx. 274 A very likely story! (cried Mackshane) what occasion was there for using Greek characters, if you were not afraid of discovering what you had wrote? 1844 Hood's Mag. 2 610 ‘A likely story!’ mumbled Mr. Hix, in a tone between publishing and smothering the remark. 1858 Harper's Mag. Oct. 660/2 How did he bring his letters, then, let alone stopping to have them written. That's a likely story to begin with. 1905 J. B. Naylor Kentuckian viii. 188 ‘Yes, that's a likely tale!’ ‘Nevertheless, it's true,’ Ruth stoutly maintained. 2007 Guardian (Nexis) 16 Aug. 9 He claims that it is all in the interests of research and he is actually working on something very deep about social capital. A likely story. |