likelihood
LYK-lee-huud
Likelihood (noun) means the chance that something will happen; probability. Example: “Given the heavy traffic, the likelihood of arriving on time is quite small.”
noun
1
The chance that something will happen; probability.
"Given the heavy traffic, the likelihood of arriving on time is quite small."
"There's a strong likelihood of rain this afternoon."
"The likelihood of winning the lottery is extremely low."
How to use likelihood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow probable something is.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
in all likelihood
the likelihood of
increase/reduce the likelihood
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Word forms
- Plural
- likelihoods
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Given the heavy traffic, the _____ of arriving on time is quite small.
Etymology
From Middle English liklihode, built from likely plus -hood.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for likelihood
See all rhymes for likelihood →Frequently asked questions
What does “likelihood” mean?
The word “likelihood” means the chance that something will happen; probability. In plain terms, how probable something is.
How do you pronounce “likelihood”?
“Likelihood” is pronounced LYK-lee-huud (/ˈlaɪklihʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “likelihood” in a sentence?
Here is “likelihood” used in a sentence: “There's a strong likelihood of rain this afternoon.”
What is another word for “likelihood”?
Words with a similar meaning to “likelihood” include likeliness, liability and odds.
What is the opposite of “likelihood”?
The opposite of “likelihood” — its antonyms — is unlikelihood.
What part of speech is “likelihood”?
“Likelihood” is a noun.
Where does the word “likelihood” come from?
The word “likelihood” comes from Middle English. From Middle English liklihode, built from likely plus -hood.
Is “likelihood” a common word?
“Likelihood” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between likelihood and probability?
In everyday English the two are interchangeable, both meaning the chance that something will happen. In statistics, however, 'probability' has a precise mathematical meaning, while 'likelihood' is used more informally and, technically, refers to how well data support a hypothesis.
What is the difference between likelihood and possibility?
Likelihood measures how probable something is, whereas possibility only states whether something can happen at all. An event can be a possibility yet still have a very low likelihood.
What is the difference between likelihood and chance?
Both refer to the probability of an event and are often interchangeable. 'Chance' can also carry a sense of randomness or luck, while 'likelihood' focuses more neutrally on how probable an outcome is.
What are common collocations with likelihood?
Likelihood appears in phrases such as 'in all likelihood,' 'increase the likelihood,' 'the likelihood of,' and 'strong likelihood.' The phrase 'in all likelihood' means very probably.
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