The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
Used in a Sentence
likelihood
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for likelihood.
Editorial note
Article says VCs got their money back, which in all likelihood means employees got nothing.
Examples14
Definitions4
Parts of speech1
Quick take
The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of likelihood gathered in one view.
Likeness, resemblance.
(statistics, probability theory) The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for likelihood.
noun
The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
See also: odds, likeliness
noun
Likeness, resemblance.
See also: odds, likeliness
noun
(statistics, probability theory) The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.
See also: odds, likeliness
noun
(archaic) Appearance, show, sign, expression.
See also: odds, likeliness
Example sentences
Article says VCs got their money back, which in all likelihood means employees got nothing.
What is the likelihood that the test candidate is at least a 20% improvement over the control candidate?
More input, more ideas and in my humble experience reduces the likelihood of getting things done quickly.
In all likelihood Apple sees a competitive browser advantage: people like X, Google will not do X on Android.
What is the likelihood that the observed difference between the test and control candidates is real?
No, but one bogus claim asserted strongly from a clear position of ignorance calls the likelihood of his accuracy into question.
It's always been highly likely that it was part of MH370 if it was a 777 part but high likelihood!= confirmation.
Yes, this has a very real likelihood to impact the roll out of the technology.
This time it's catering, a much better likelihood of success than a food truck.
Here's why: - Cars travel defined roadways having mandated brush clearance zones that diminish the likelihood of a vehicle crash/fire propagating into uncleared country.
There is tremendous likelihood that regulating drones will lead to less crime.
The addition of honors and special skills had a significant effect on the likelihood of White applications being called, but a statistically insignificant effect for the otherwise-identical African-American ones.
Quote examples
A lot of people believe this bodes well for the "functional equivalence" paradigm, not only as it pertains to AI, but also as it relates to the likelihood of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.
If you flip a coin and get 10 heads in a row, your likelihood of getting a tails on the next flip (assuming a perfectly-balanced coin) is still 50%" True, but I am arguing that out of 10 flips, the average number of heads will likely be 50%.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use likelihood in a sentence?
Article says VCs got their money back, which in all likelihood means employees got nothing.
What does likelihood mean?
The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
What part of speech is likelihood?
likelihood is commonly used as noun.