likely

英 ['laɪklɪ] 美 ['laɪkli]

likely 可能的

like,相似，-ly,形容词后缀，来自like.

likely (adj.): c. 1300, perhaps from Old Norse likligr "likely," from likr "like" (see like (adj.)). Old English had cognate geliclic. Meaning "having the appearance of being strong and capable" is from mid-15c., though now mostly confined to American English; according to OED this sense is perhaps influenced by like (v.). Sense of "good-looking" is from late 15c. Meaning "probably" is attested from late 14c., now principally in American English.
LIKELY. That may be liked; that may please; handsome. In the United States, as a colloquial term, respectable; worthy of esteem; sensible.--Worcester. [Bartlett]
As an adverb, late 14c., from the adjective.

1. Very likely he'd told them he had American business interests.: 很可能他已经告诉他们自己拥有美国商业利益.

2. We aimed the microscope at a likely looking target.: 我们把显微镜对准了一个看起来合适的目标。

3. The fires are likely to permanently deforest the land.: 这些火灾很可能会彻底毁掉这片土地上的森林。

4. These feelings are likely to make people attempt to overthrow the system.: 这些情绪有可能促使人们想要推翻现行的体制。

5. They're likely to hold big fire sales to liquidate their inventory.: 他们可能会举行清仓大甩卖。