Likely, a. [Compar. Likelier; superl. Likeliest.]
Etymology: [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.
1 more senses
5. Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Likely, adv.
In all probability; probably. While man was innocent he was likely ignorant of nothing that imported him to know. Glanvill.
Shades of meaning
Apt implies a natural fitness or tendency; an impetuous person is apt to speak hastily. Liable refers to a contingency regarded as unfavorable; as, the ship was liable to founder at any moment. Likely refers to a contingent event regarded as very probable, and usually, tho not always, favorable; as, an industrious worker is likely to succeed. Credible signifies readily to be believed; as, a credible narrative; likely in such connection is used ironically to signify the reverse; as, a likely story! A thing is conceivable of which the mind can entertain the possibility; a thing is conjectural which is conjectured as possible or probable without other support than a conjecture, or tentative judgment; a thing is presumable which, from what is antecedently known, may betaken for granted in advance of proof. Reasonable in this connection signifies such as the reason can be satisfied with, independently of external grounds for belief or disbelief; as, that seems a reasonable supposition. Compare apparent.