NYT Dictionary
LIKELY
/ˈlaɪkli/AdjectiveNounAdverbLIKE-lylike-ly · 2 syllablesGrade 4
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent to like + -ly (adjectival suffix).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
unlikelyimprobable
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: