Dictionary-enhanced word family
Word Forms of “Likely”
Having a good chance of happening or being true; expected to occur.
Word Family of Likely
What is the noun of likely? — likelihood
What is the adjective of likely? — likely
What is the adverb of likely? — likely
How to Use Each Word Form in a Sentence
- It is likely to rain tomorrow. B1
- They are likely to arrive before five o'clock. B1
- The most likely outcome is a significant increase in market demand. B2
Origin and Word Formation of Likely
From Old Norse 'líkligr' meaning probable or suitable.
Common in predictions and discussions about probability. Often paired with 'quite' or 'very'.
Common Word Form Mistakes with Likely
Wrong: The likely students will pass the exam.
Correct: The likely result is that students will pass.
Cannot use 'likely' directly before a noun; use 'probable' for that or use 'likely' after 'be'.
Frequently Asked Questions About Word Forms of Likely
What are the word forms of “likely”?
The confirmed forms are shown in the word family cards above. Missing parts of speech are hidden instead of filled with placeholder text.
What part of speech is “likely”?
“likely” is primarily a adj. Some forms above show how the same root works as other parts of speech.
Where does “likely” come from?
From Old Norse 'líkligr' meaning probable or suitable.