not likely
Absolutely not; under no circumstances; no way.
“Look,” George said. “If we get pregnant, I will take the baby and raise him on my own.” “Not likely!” cried Alice.
likely
/ˈlaɪkli/
adj 5adv 2name 2noun 1
Collocations
4(adj.)
VERBS
appear, be, look, seem
ADV
extremely, highly, very
She is extremely likely to win the competition based on her previous performances.
hardly
You'll hardly find a more likely candidate for the job than Sarah.
quite
Definitions
adj
1
Probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.
Rain is likely later this afternoon.
His parents — a restless, titanically self-involved father and a mother who cultivated her inner life in strict solitude — seem a much likelier source for his condition.
2
Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.
Do you think there's likely to be snow?
He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.
3
Appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential.
Jones is a likely candidate for management.
The relationship with social status is a likely topic for investigation.
4
Plausible; within the realm of credibility.
not a very likely excuse.
The DPRK propagated an extraordinary tale of his birth occurring on Mount Baekdu, one of Korea's most revered sites, being accompanied by shooting stars in the sky. It is more likely that he was born in a small village in the USSR, while his father was serving as a Soviet-backed general during the second world war.
5
Leading with high probability to some specified outcome.
a likely recipe for disaster.
noun
1
Something or somebody considered likely.
adv
1
Probably.
Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.
He’ll likely win the election in this economy.
2
Similarly.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
Rain is likely later this afternoon.
Wiktionary02
His parents — a restless, titanically self-involved father and a mother who cultivated her inner life in strict solitude — seem a much likelier source for his condition.
Wiktionary03
Still, Saints looked the likeliest to make the breakthrough, and it came when Jonny Evans could only half-clear a long ball and Chaplow took full advantage.
Wiktionary04
Likely he’ll win the election in this economy.
Wiktionary05
He’ll likely win the election in this economy.
Wiktionary06
He likely will win the election in this economy.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
i Register
In some senses, likely is marked as obsolete, US. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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