likelihood en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
Etymology
From Middle English liklihode, equivalent to likely + -hood.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
While starting early can increase your likelihood of attaining millionaire status, the investments you choose play an equally important role.
2017 May 16, Maurie Backman, “Here's how to become a millionaire on $56,000 a year”, in CNN Money, archived from the original on 21 Apr 2025:The likelihood is that the inflation rate will continue to rise.
In all likelihood the meeting will be cancelled.
- (countable, uncountable) The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.
-
(countable, uncountable) Likeness, resemblance.
There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, […]or between righteousness and reprobation.
1614, Walter Ralegh [i.e., Walter Raleigh], chapter 3, in The Historie of the World […], London: […] William Stansby for Walter Burre, […], →OCLC, 1st book:
- (archaic, countable, uncountable) Appearance, show, sign, expression.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| likelyhood | alternative | lexicographic | |
| likelihoods | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Deriveds
dislikelihood · pseudolikelihood · in all likelihood · loglikelihood · Whittle likelihood · quasilikelihood
Synonyms
liability · likeliness · odds
Translations (49)
ca probabilitat (probability) · nl waarschijnlijkheid (probability) · ro probabilitate (probability) · grc εἰκός (probability) · ro verosimilitate (probability) · pt verossimilhança (mathematical likelihood) · fi uskottavuus (mathematical likelihood) · sh vjerojatnost (probability) · it verosimiglianza (mathematical likelihood) · pl prawdopodobieństwo (probability) · de Wahrscheinlichkeit (probability) · fr vraisemblance (mathematical likelihood) · pt probabilidade (probability) · ru схо́дство (resemblance) · pt semelhança (resemblance) · mk веро́јатност (mathematical likelihood) · sv sannolikhet (probability) · pl wiarygodność (mathematical likelihood) · cmn 可能性 (probability) · fi yhdennäköisyys (resemblance) · bg прилика (resemblance) · cmn 概似性 (mathematical likelihood) · cmn 似然性 (mathematical likelihood) · fi ulkonäkö (appearance) · fi samankaltaisuus (resemblance) · ca versemblança (mathematical likelihood) · ko 가능성 (probability) · fr vraisemblance (probability) · mi tūponotanga (probability) · el πιθανότητα (probability) · ja 可能性 (probability) · bg вероятност (mathematical likelihood) · pdt Mäajlichkjeit (probability) · ca probabilitat (mathematical likelihood) · bg вероятност (probability) · fi todennäköisyys (probability) · es verosimilitud (mathematical likelihood) · it verosimiglianza (probability) · mk сли́чност (resemblance) · it verisimiglianza (probability) · ru вероя́тность (probability) · pt probabilidade (mathematical likelihood) · el ενδεχόμενο (probability) · pl podobieństwo (resemblance) · eu egiantz (probability) · ja 尤度 (mathematical likelihood) · mk веро́јатност (probability) · it probabilità (probability) · es probabilidad (probability)