Likelihood: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：probability (likelihood)

likelihood 🔊

/ˈlaɪklihʊd/

How probable it is that something will happen.

Smartphone weather app showing 80% likelihood of rain on wooden desk

probability 🔊

➕

/ˌprɑːbəˈbɪləti/

The degree to which something is likely to happen; the chance of an event occurring.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

likelihood = like (similar) + -lihood (state), meaning the state of being likely.

💡 Mnemonic

Remember: 'Like + hood' = 'the hood of likeness' → probability.

📖 Example

The weather app shows a high likelihood of rain this afternoon, so I should take an umbrella. 🔊 The weather app indicates an 80% chance of rain this afternoon, suggesting I should bring an umbrella.

🔗 Collocations

high likelihood – a great chance of occurring

likelihood of success – probability of achieving a goal

in all likelihood – very probably

🔄 Synonyms

probability (n.) – The extent to which something is probable; a numerical measure of likelihood.

chance (n.) – The possibility of something happening; often used informally.

possibility (n.) – A thing that may happen or be the case.

🚫 Antonyms

unlikelihood (n.) – The state of being unlikely to happen.

improbability (n.) – The quality of being improbable; low chance.

🌱 Derivatives

likely (adj.) – Probable; expected.

unlikely (adj.) – Not likely to happen; improbable.

likeliness (n.) – The quality of being likely; probability.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Middle English 'liklihood', a combination of 'likely' (from Old Norse 'likligr') and '-hood'. Used since the 15th century to express probability, especially in statistics and everyday predictions.