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The most common other word for likely is probable: “a probable outcome”, “It is probable that prices will rise.” To say a person or thing will probably do something, use apt to, liable to, prone to, bound to or set to, each with its own shade of meaning. As an adverb, “likely” becomes probably, in all likelihood or chances are.
“Likely” also has two less obvious meanings: believable (“a likely explanation”) and promising (“a likely candidate”). This page covers all of them, with a probability scale, the grammar traps and a short practice set.
On this page: quick picker · probable and expected · likely to + verb · likely as an adverb · believable · promising · probability scale · mistakes · practice · quick answers
Quick picker
| You mean… | Try | Example |
|---|---|---|
| probably true or going to happen | probable, expected, anticipated, foreseeable | Delays are probable this weekend. |
| someone tends to do it | apt to, inclined to, given to, tend to | He is apt to exaggerate. |
| something bad may happen | liable to, prone to, at risk of | The bridge is liable to flood in winter. |
| almost certain | bound to, sure to, certain to | It’s bound to rain on the one day we go. |
| planned or forecast (news) | set to, poised to, on course to, due to | The company is set to announce job cuts. |
| probably (adverb) | probably, most likely, in all likelihood, chances are, odds are | In all likelihood, the meeting will move. |
| believable | plausible, credible, believable, reasonable | That’s the most plausible explanation. |
| promising, suitable | promising, suitable, hopeful, up-and-coming | She’s a promising candidate for the job. |
Likely = probable or expected
When “likely” describes an event or result, these words replace it directly:
- Probable – the closest match and a little more formal: “the probable cause of the fire”.
- Expected / anticipated – stress that people predict it: “the expected turnout”, “the anticipated rise in costs”.
- Foreseeable / predictable – could be seen coming: “a foreseeable problem”, “a predictable ending”.
- Possible is weaker: a possible result might happen; a likely one probably will.
Formal and academic writing often uses likelihood and probability as nouns: “The likelihood of rain is high.” “There is a strong probability of delay.”
Likely to + verb: apt, liable, prone, bound, set
“She is likely to win” uses a pattern that “probable” cannot copy (you cannot say “She is probable to win”). These words can:
| Word | Shade of meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| apt to | a habit or natural tendency | Toddlers are apt to put everything in their mouths. |
| inclined to | a tendency or preference, often mild | I’m inclined to agree with you. |
| given to | a habit, usually of behavior | He is given to long speeches. |
| liable to | something unwanted may happen (often British) | The path is liable to be slippery after rain. |
| prone to | a repeated weakness, illness or accident | She’s prone to headaches. / an accident-prone driver |
| bound to / sure to | almost certain | If you keep practising, you’re bound to improve. |
| set to / poised to | expected soon, used in news | Fuel prices are set to rise next month. |
| due to | scheduled | The train is due to arrive at 6:40. |
| tend to | usually happens (a verb, not an adjective) | Prices tend to fall after the holidays. |
Note that prone to and given to are followed by a noun or an -ing form as well as a verb: “prone to injury”, “given to exaggerating”. “Liable” also has a legal meaning: legally responsible (“liable for the damage”).
Likely as an adverb: “probably” and friends
“Likely” can mean “probably”. British English normally needs a word in front of it (most likely, very likely, quite likely), while American English also uses it alone:
- US and UK: “They’ll most likely be late.”
- Mainly US: “They’ll likely be late.”
Alternatives that work everywhere:
- probably – the everyday choice: “It’ll probably be fine.”
- in all likelihood / in all probability – formal: “In all likelihood, the vote will be close.”
- chances are / odds are – conversational: “Chances are she’s already left.”
- presumably – you are assuming from what you know: “Presumably the shop is closed on Sundays.”
- no doubt – fairly sure, sometimes with irony: “You’ve no doubt heard the news.”
- I’d bet / I’d put money on it – informal and confident.
Likely = believable
A “likely explanation” is one that is easy to believe. Alternatives: plausible, credible, believable, reasonable, convincing.
Watch the sarcastic set phrase “A likely story!”: it means “I don’t believe you.” “The dog ate my homework? A likely story.” Similar ironic replies: “Yeah, right.” / “Pull the other one” (British).
Likely = promising or suitable
In “a likely candidate” or “a likely spot for a picnic”, likely means suitable or promising. Alternatives: promising, suitable, hopeful, strong, up-and-coming. “She’s the strongest candidate” or “We found a suitable spot.” In British informal speech, “a likely lad” is a cheeky, confident young man.
From certain to impossible
Choosing the right word is mostly about how sure you are:
| How sure | Words |
|---|---|
| certain | certain, definite, sure to, bound to, inevitable |
| very likely | highly likely, highly probable, almost certain, odds-on |
| likely | likely, probable, expected |
| possible | possible, may, might, could, conceivable |
| unlikely | unlikely, improbable, doubtful |
| very unlikely | highly unlikely, remote, slim, far-fetched, a long shot |
| impossible | impossible, out of the question, no chance |
To compare two possibilities (“more likely”, “likelier”, “rather”), see synonyms for “more likely”.
Common mistakes
| Avoid | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| He is likely come tomorrow. | He is likely to come tomorrow. | “Likely” needs to before the verb. |
| She is probable to win. | She is likely to win. / It is probable that she will win. | “Probable” does not take a person + to + verb. |
| The roof is prone to leak. | The roof is prone to leaking. / The roof is liable to leak. | “Prone to” usually takes a noun or an -ing form. |
| It’s bound to be possible. | It’s bound to happen. / It’s quite possible. | “Bound to” means almost certain; it clashes with “possible”. |
| He’ll likely to call. | He’ll likely call. / He’s likely to call. | Mixing the adverb and the adjective patterns. |
| The more likely outcome of three. | The most likely outcome of three. | Use “most” for three or more. |
Practice
Replace “likely” with a better word. Suggested answers are below.
- Experts say the economy is likely to slow next year. (news headline style)
- My grandfather is likely to fall asleep after lunch. (a habit)
- This old car is likely to break down. (something unwanted)
- Likely, the parcel will arrive on Monday. (fix the grammar)
- That’s a likely explanation, so let’s check it first. (believable)
- “I was stuck in traffic for four hours.” “Likely story!” (fix the phrase)
Suggested answers: 1 set to · 2 apt to / given to (falling asleep) · 3 liable to · 4 Most likely, / Probably, · 5 plausible · 6 “A likely story!”
Quick answers
What is a formal word for likely?
Probable. As an adverb: in all probability, in all likelihood.
What is the opposite of likely?
Unlikely, improbable or doubtful; for very small chances, remote or slim.
Is “likely” an adjective or an adverb?
Both. “A likely result” (adjective); “They will most likely win” (adverb).
What is the difference between likely and liable?
Likely is neutral; liable to is used mainly for unwanted results (“liable to crack”), and liable alone means legally responsible.
More word guides: another word for overall and another word for important.