likely English · revision 2546

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300|origins=non líkligr}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlaɪ.kli/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|likli]], probably [[bor|non|líkligr|t=likely]] (also [[m|non|glíkligr]]),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) formed from [[m|non|líkr|t=like]] and [[m|non|-ligr|t=-ly]].^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) Old English had the cognate [[m|ang|gelīclīc|t=fitting]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from which Barnhart and Merriam-Webster also derive it.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) It is related to [[like]] and [[likelihood]].^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Probable, likely to happen, as a predicate with an infinitive: before 1300;^(OED 1989) Etymonline gives “having the appearance of truth” from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and Barnhart's first example is before 1325, in ''Cursor Mundi''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Probable” is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the OED notes that it is now chiefly American.^(Etymonline) “Apparently suitable or qualified” is from about 1375,^(OED 1989) and of young people “promising” from 1454, now chiefly American.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) “Good-looking”, perhaps influenced by ''like'', “to please”, is from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “Resembling, similar” is recorded about 1400.^(OED 1989) The adverb, “probably”, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Bartlett's ''Dictionary of Americanisms'' gives the colloquial American sense “respectable, worthy of esteem”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1300 – probable.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1375 – suitable, qualified.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1378 – adverb, probably.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – similar.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1454 – promising.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 15th century – good-looking.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having the qualities that make something probable: ''likely to rain''.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Believable, [[plausible]].^(AHD)

+ # Apparently suitable.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Promising success.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(dialect, US)'' Attractive, good-looking.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Probably.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[likelihood]]

+ * [[unlikely]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[like]]

+ * [[liken]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary notes that the adverb ''likely'' is usually preceded by ''very'' or ''quite'', but that its unmodified use, though perhaps best avoided in very formal style, is not incorrect.^(AHD) In Scotland, Ireland and England ''likely'' meant “promising, good-looking”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}