Definition of "likely" []

• Possessing or displaying the qualities or characteristics that make something probable: They are likely to become angry with him. (adjective)
• Within the realm of credibility; plausible: not a very likely excuse. (adjective)
• Apparently appropriate or suitable: There were several likely candidates for the job. (adjective)
• Apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome; promising: a likely topic for investigation. (adjective)
• Attractive; pleasant: found a likely spot under a shady tree for the picnic. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The banks that took care of their own loans wound up, long term, in a situation that was likely to be better; but only _likely_ some localities had bad luck, some banks got hit by other factors, and only if they actually were better at managing their localloans."
• "If anything, that it was sold in stores and was *nevertheless* “likely” to prevail on a fair use defense, indicates to me that the same thing posted on a web page as fanfic would be *even more likely* to be fair use."
• "He'll be doing his term likely in Yazoo City, Mississippi, which is near his home."