likely是什麽意思

likely

英 ['laɪklɪ] 美 ['laɪkli]

likely 可能的

like,相似，-ly,形容詞後綴，來自like.

likely (adj.): c. 1300, perhaps from Old Norse likligr "likely," from likr "like" (see like (adj.)). Old English had cognate geliclic. Meaning "having the appearance of being strong and capable" is from mid-15c., though now mostly confined to American English; according to OED this sense is perhaps influenced by like (v.). Sense of "good-looking" is from late 15c. Meaning "probably" is attested from late 14c., now principally in American English.
LIKELY. That may be liked; that may please; handsome. In the United States, as a colloquial term, respectable; worthy of esteem; sensible.--Worcester. [Bartlett]
As an adverb, late 14c., from the adjective.

1. Very likely he'd told them he had American business interests.: 很可能他已經告訴他們自己擁有美國商業利益.

2. We aimed the microscope at a likely looking target.: 我們把顯微鏡對準了一個看起來合適的目標。

3. The fires are likely to permanently deforest the land.: 這些火災很可能會徹底毀掉這片土地上的森林。

4. These feelings are likely to make people attempt to overthrow the system.: 這些情緒有可能促使人們想要推翻現行的體製。

5. They're likely to hold big fire sales to liquidate their inventory.: 他們可能會舉行清倉大甩賣。