WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Like"ly
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [That is, like-like. See Like, a.]
Definition : 1. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. Johnson.

2. Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain.

3. Similar; like; alike. [Obs.] Spenser.

4. Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. Shak. Milton.

5. Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.

[Compar. Likelier; superl. Likeliest.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Like"ly
Part of Speech : adv.
Definition : Defn: In all probability; probably. While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. Glanvill.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913