1 likely /ˈlaɪkli/ adjective likelier; likeliest
likelier; likeliest
Learner's definition of LIKELY
[or more likely; most likely]
1
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used to indicate the chance that something will happen可能发生的 -
The car is likely to break down soon. = It's likely that the car will break down soon. [=there is a good chance that the car will break down soon]这车很可能马上要抛锚了。
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It is/seems highly/very likely that it will rain tomorrow.明天很有可能要下雨。
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She doesn't seem likely to get the job.她似乎不太可能得到那份工作。
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She may get the job, but it isn't likely.她或许能得到那份工作,但可能性不大。
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“Will she get the job?” “Not likely.” [=she probably will not get the job]“她能得到那份工作吗?”“不太可能。”
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It's more than likely [=very probable] that this problem will occur again.这个问题很有可能还会出现。
2
: seeming to be true : believable似乎真实的;可信的 ◊ The phrase a likely story is often used in an informal way to say that you do not believe what someone has said.说得跟真的一样,鬼才信呢(表不相信某人的话)
3
always used before a noun : seeming to be right or suited for a purpose似乎恰当的;似乎合适的
— likeliness
noun [noncount] 2 likely /ˈlaɪkli/ adverb
2 likely
/ˈlaɪkli/
adverb
Learner's definition of LIKELY
[more likely; most likely]
: without much doubt : probably很有可能 -
He'll very likely be late.他很可能会迟到。
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It will most likely rain tomorrow. [=it will probably rain tomorrow]明天很可能会下雨。
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“Will it rain tomorrow?” “Most likely.”“明天会下雨吗?”“很有可能。”
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She will more than likely not get the job. [=she will very probably not get the job]她很有可能得不到那份工作。
Usage用法 In U.S. English, the adverb likely is often used by itself without most, quite, very, etc.在美国英语中,副词likely常单独使用,不与most、quite、very等连用。 This use of likely has sometimes been criticized, but it is very common. It does not occur in highly formal writing.*likely的这一用法有时受到批评,但仍很常见。不用于特别正式的书面语。