likely
adj
adv
ˈlaɪkli adj
1 something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true 可能的; 可能发生的; 可能是真的;
Snow showers are likely tomorrow.
明天可能有阵雪。
likely outcome/effects/consequences etc
What are the likely effects of the law going to be?
这条法规可能会产生什么样的影响？
the most likely cause of the problem
造成这个问题最有可能的原因
likely to do/be sth
Children who live in the country’s rural areas are very likely to be poor.
住在这个国家农村地区的孩子大多是贫穷的。
more/less/most/least likely
Young drivers are far more likely to have accidents than older drivers.
年轻司机发生车祸的可能性要远远大于较年长的司机。
It is more than likely (=almost certain) the votes will have to be counted again.
选票很有可能要重新计算。
It could have been an accident, but that was hardly likely (=not very likely) .
这有可能是意外事故，但是可能性不大。
He could offer no likely explanation when I asked him.
我问他的时候，他没有给出一个合理的解释。
2 suitable for a particular purpose 合适的，恰当的 only before noun 仅用于名词前
the three most likely candidates for president
最有可能当选的三个总统候选人
One likely source of energy is windpower.
有一种合适的能源就是风力。
3
a likely story
used to tell someone you do not believe what they have just said [口] 说得像真的似的〔用于告诉某人你不相信他刚才说的话〕 spoken
adv
4 probably 大概，很可能 spoken
most/very likely
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation.
我要是碰到你这种情况，很有可能也会那样做的。
(as) likely as not spoken (=very probably) 【口】 很可能
As likely as not, the meeting will take place in the village pub.
会议很有可能就在村子的酒吧里开。
5
not likely!
used to disagree strongly, or to say that something will not happen [口，尤英] 才不呢！ 不可能！〔表示强烈反对或断言某事不会发生〕 spoken especially BrE
‘He said you’d be giving them a lift.’ ‘Not likely!’
“他说你会让他们搭便车。”“不可能！”