Like"ly, adv. In all probability;
probably.
While man was innocent he was likely ignorant
of nothing that imported him to know.
Glanvill.Like"ly, a. [Compar.
Likelier (līk"lĭ*ẽr);
superl. Likeliest.] [That is, like-
like. See Like, a.] 1.
Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely
story.
It seems likely that he was in hope of being
busy and conspicuous.
Johnson.
2. Having probability; having or giving
reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is
likely to rain.
3. Similar; like; alike. [Obs.]
Spenser.
4. Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing;
agreeable; handsome. Shak. Milton.
5. Having such qualities as make success
probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely
young man; a likely servant.