entry
likely
/ˈlaɪkli/Probable or appearing reasonably true; plausible
From Germanic like (Similar).
from Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent...
from Old Norse likligr "likely,"
from Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche
from Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche
Word Ancestry
from Old English ġelīclīċ (“suitable”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”) (probably independent formations), equivalent...
from Old Norse likligr "likely,"
from Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche
from Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche
Picture a medieval English speaker judging whether something “fit” a familiar pattern: that basic idea is hiding inside likely. Old English had ġelīclīċ, “suitable,” while Old Norse had líkligr, “likely,” and these neighboring Germanic forms probably helped shape Middle English likely around 1300. The core is like, whose ancient Germanic ancestor literally suggested “having a corresponding body”—as if two objects had been cast from the same mold. That makes likely a cousin of alike, likeness, and German gleich, while its ending -ly turns resemblance into a manner or appearance: “in a like way.” Only later did “having the appearance of truth” settle into “probable,” so when you say an event is likely, you are faintly comparing it with a familiar pattern and deciding that it looks the part.
The Story
Picture a medieval English speaker judging whether something “fit” a familiar pattern: that basic idea is hiding inside likely. Old English had ġelīclīċ, “suitable,” while Old Norse had líkligr, “likely,” and these neighboring Germanic forms probably helped shape Middle English likely around 1300. The core is like, whose ancient Germanic ancestor literally suggested “having a corresponding body”—as if two objects had been cast from the same mold. That makes likely a cousin of alike, likeness, and German gleich, while its ending -ly turns resemblance into a manner or appearance: “in a like way.” Only later did “having the appearance of truth” settle into “probable,” so when you say an event is likely, you are faintly comparing it with a familiar pattern and deciding that it looks the part.
Kin & Kindred
From 'like'·Similar, having the same form or qualities
Derived Terms
English words from this root