Likely Meaning
Likely Definition & Usage
Used to describe something that is probable or expected to happen.
Examples
- "It's likely that it will rain tomorrow."
- "She is the likely candidate for the promotion."
- "The team is likely to win this match."
- "Given the current situation, it's likely we will need more resources."
- "The likely outcome of the negotiations is a compromise."
Used to indicate that something is probable or expected.
Examples
- "She will likely arrive late due to traffic."
- "The child is likely to cry if you take the toy away."
- "We are likely to see more innovation in this field next year."
- "They are likely to face challenges in the coming months."
- "The project will likely succeed if they stay on track."
Something that is probable or expected.
Examples
- "The likely of their success depends on the team's performance."
- "He discussed the likely of winning the election."
- "The likely of a new technological breakthrough is high."
- "Despite the challenges, the likely for the project to succeed is strong."
- "They predicted the likely would be a successful merger."
Cultural Context
The word 'likely' has its roots in Old English, and over time, it has been used to refer to probable or expected outcomes in various contexts. It is one of the most commonly used adjectives when discussing events or situations with a high probability.
The Unlikely Candidate
Story
The Unlikely Candidate
In a small town, the local election was heating up. For months, people had expected the incumbent mayor, Tom Keller, to win re-election with ease. He was well-known, well-liked, and had a long track record of success. However, there was a newcomer in the race: Clara Stevens, a young entrepreneur with a bold vision for the future. Many doubted her chances. After all, it was likely that the town would stick with the familiar choice. But Clara had a way of making people see things differently. She connected with the younger population, made an impression with her innovative ideas, and by the time Election Day rolled around, the polls were closer than anyone had expected. On the day of the election, Clara sat in her campaign office with her team. They were discussing the results as they came in. 'It’s still likely that Tom will win,' said one of her advisors, 'but if these trends hold, we could pull off an upset.' Clara nodded, but she wasn’t thinking about the odds. She had already prepared herself for whatever outcome. Whether she won or lost, her campaign had already made an impact. When the final votes were counted, Clara had narrowly beaten Tom. The town was buzzing with excitement over the unexpected result. As she made her victory speech, Clara spoke about the future. 'I’m not going to promise that everything will be easy. But we’re likely to face challenges together, and we will overcome them as a community. Our work starts now.' Clara's victory was seen by many as unlikely. But it was also a powerful reminder that the future is always more uncertain than we think, and that sometimes, things turn out in ways we least expect.
Related Words
