Likelihood

Definition

The probability or chance of something happening.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
• Respelling: LYK-lee-hood (with "LYK" as in "like," "lee" as in "see," and "hood" as in "wood")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
• Respelling: LYK-lee-hood (with "LYK" as in "like," "lee" as in "see," and "hood" as in "wood")

In both dialects, "likelihood" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "LYK." The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "LYK-lee-hood."

Etymology

The term "likelihood" is a combination of the adjective "likely" (meaning "probable") and the suffix "-hood" (which denotes a state or condition). Its usage can be traced back to Middle English, where it was used to mean "appearance" or "semblance."

Derivatives

• Likely
• Unlikely
• Likelihoods
• Likelyhood (archaic form)
• Likelihood-based

Synonyms

• Probability
• Chance
• Possibility

Antonyms

• Improbability
• Impossibility
• Unlikelihood

Usage

Likelihood is often used in contexts involving predictions, risk assessment, statistics, and everyday discussions about potential outcomes.

Related Terms

• Probability: The extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening.
• Possibility: A thing that may happen or be the case.
• Risk: The possibility of something bad happening.

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Likelihood (Noun): The state or fact of something being likely; probability.
  • Example: "There is a high likelihood of rain tomorrow."