likely
/ˈlaɪkli/adjective
उच्चारण लाइक्ली
संभावित, संभव, अपेक्षित
Basic wordPYP · asked 9 times
Asked in previous papers
as synonym
+4 more
SSC CHSL Pre 2019SSC MTS 2025SSC Selection Post Phase 13 2025SSC Exams before 2018- 1
~ (to do sth) | ~ (that…)
probable or expected
संभावित, संभव, अपेक्षित
- It is likely to rain this evening.
- It is likely that the result will be out next week.
- the most likely explanation
+ 3 more examples
- Heavy traffic is likely on the highway during the festival.
- Are you likely to visit Jaipur this winter?
- It is not likely that the match will be cancelled.
Synonyms probable expected anticipated possible liable
Opposite unlikely improbable doubtful impossible
- 2
[only before noun]
seeming suitable for a purpose
उपयुक्त, योग्य (किसी काम के लिए)
- She is a likely candidate for the post.
- a likely spot for a picnic
- Police questioned the most likely suspects first.
+ 2 more examples
- This looks a likely place to find fresh water.
- He was the likely winner from the first round.
Synonyms suitable promising appropriate apt fitting
Opposite unsuitable unpromising
- 1
most/very/more than ~
probably
शायद, संभवतः
- He will most likely be late again.
- Very likely the file is still in the office.
- She will quite likely join us for dinner.
+ 2 more examples
- The bus will as likely as not be late in this weather.
- They are most likely staying at a hotel near the station.
Synonyms probably in all probability doubtless presumably
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
be likely to do sth
The most common pattern: the subject will probably do or be something.
सबसे सामान्य रचना: कर्ता के कुछ करने या होने की संभावना है।
- It is likely to rain this evening.
- Radhika is likely to top the class.
it is likely that + clause
A that-clause states a probable event.
That-clause एक संभावित घटना को बताता है।
- It is likely that the exam will be postponed.
- It is not likely that he will come.
most / very / quite likely (adverb)
Likely is used as an adverb only with most, very or quite: He will most likely agree.
'Likely' adverb के रूप में केवल most, very या quite के साथ आता है: He will most likely agree।
- The train will very likely be late.
- She will most likely choose science.
likely + noun / likely candidate
Before a noun it means suitable or promising.
Noun से पहले इसका अर्थ उपयुक्त या होनहार है।
- He is a likely candidate for the post.
- The police searched several likely places.
+Collocations 4
adverb + likely
verymostquitehighlyequallymore
- It is highly likely that fares will rise.
likely + noun
candidatewinnercauseoutcomeresultstory
- Heavy rain is the likely cause of the delay.
verb + likely
beseemlookappearmake sth
- It looks likely that schools will reopen.
likely + to + verb
likely to winlikely to rainlikely to happenlikely to faillikely to arrive
- The team is likely to win the series.
“More examples 5
- Radhika is likely to get a scholarship because of her marks.
अपने अंकों के कारण राधिका को छात्रवृत्ति मिलने की संभावना है।
- It is likely that the monsoon will arrive early this year.
संभावना है कि इस वर्ष मानसून जल्दी आएगा।
- The rain will most likely stop by evening.
बारिश शाम तक संभवतः रुक जाएगी।
- She is not likely to forgive him.
उसके उसे क्षमा करने की संभावना नहीं है।
- Students who sleep well are more likely to remember what they study.
जो विद्यार्थी अच्छी नींद लेते हैं, उनके पढ़ा हुआ याद रखने की संभावना अधिक होती है।
!Common mistakes 4
✗ Radhika is likely to winning the debate.
✓ Radhika is likely to win the debate.
After likely to, use the base form of the verb, not the -ing form.
'Likely to' के बाद verb का base form आता है, -ing रूप नहीं।
✗ He is likely that he will win.
✓ It is likely that he will win.
A that-clause follows it is likely; a person is not likely that.
That-clause 'it is likely' के बाद आता है; व्यक्ति के साथ 'likely that' नहीं लगता।
✗ She is likely passing the exam.
✓ She is likely to pass the exam.
Likely is followed by a to-infinitive, not an -ing form.
'Likely' के बाद to-infinitive आता है, -ing रूप नहीं।
✗ Our team is probable to win the match.
✓ Our team is likely to win the match.
Probable is not followed by to + verb; use likely, or say it is probable that.
'Probable' के बाद to + verb नहीं आता; 'likely' लिखें या 'it is probable that' कहें।
≠Thesaurus: which synonym when
Likely, probable and possible mark different levels of chance.
Likely, probable और possible संभावना के अलग-अलग स्तर बताते हैं।
More chance of happening than not; used with to + verb.
होने की संभावना न होने से अधिक; to + verb के साथ प्रयुक्त।
- He is likely to come.
Similar to likely but used with it is probable that, not to + verb.
'Likely' जैसा पर 'it is probable that' के साथ, to + verb के साथ नहीं।
- It is probable that he will come.
Able to happen, even if the chance is small.
हो सकने वाला, चाहे संभावना कम ही हो।
- It is possible to finish today.
¶Idioms 3
a likely story
used to say you do not believe what somebody has said
(व्यंग्य में) अच्छा बहाना है, मैं नहीं मानता
- 'The dog ate my admit card.' 'A likely story!'
as likely as not
very probably
बहुत संभव है, शायद ही कुछ और हो
- As likely as not, the bus will be full.
not likely!
certainly not
बिलकुल नहीं, कभी नहीं
- 'Will you lend him money again?' 'Not likely!'
◇Word family
≈Synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms
probable expected anticipated possible liable suitable promising appropriate apt fitting probably in all probability doubtless presumably
Antonyms
unlikely improbable doubtful impossible unsuitable unpromising
AaSpelling
like·ly
?Which word?
likely as adverb
Likely is mainly an adjective: 'It is likely to rain' (with to-infinitive), 'It is likely that it will rain'. As an adverb it needs most, very, quite or more than before it in British English: 'He will very likely come'; 'He will likely come' is American or informal. The noun is likelihood: 'in all likelihood'.
Likely मुख्यतः adjective है: 'It is likely to rain' (to-infinitive के साथ), 'It is likely that it will rain'। Adverb के रूप में British English में इसके आगे most, very, quite या more than चाहिए: 'He will very likely come'; 'He will likely come' American या अनौपचारिक है। Noun likelihood है: 'in all likelihood'।
Keep apart likely (probable) and liable (responsible, or likely in a bad sense: 'liable to break').
Likely (संभावित) और liable (ज़िम्मेदार, या बुरे अर्थ में संभावित: 'liable to break') को अलग रखिए।
§Grammar and usage
'likely to do' and 'likely that'; as an adverb only with most/very/quite ('most likely', not bare 'likely' in formal British English).
यह बहुत पूछा जाता है: 'likely to do' और 'likely that'; adverb के रूप में केवल most/very/quite के साथ (formal British English में अकेला 'likely' नहीं, 'most likely')।
“Collocations, idioms and sayings
A likely story, as likely as not, not likely.
Idioms: a likely story (ऐसी बात जिस पर यक़ीन न हो, व्यंग्य में), as likely as not (बहुत संभव है), not likely (बिल्कुल नहीं होगा)।