Meaning of likely

(adj) has a good chance of being the case or of coming about; "these services are likely to be available to us all before long"; "she is likely to forget"; "a likely place for a restaurant"; "the broken limb is likely to fall"; "rain is likely"; "a likely topic for investigation"; "likely candidates for the job"

likely but not certain to be or become true or real; "a likely result"; "he foresaw a probable loss"

expected to become or be; in prospect; "potential clients"

within the realm of credibility; "not a very likely excuse"

(adv) with considerable certainty; without much doubt; "He is probably out of the country"; "in all likelihood we are headed for war"