likelihood
"Likelihood" is a straightforward but very useful word in English. It has essentially one core meaning, but it appears in many different contexts — from everyday conversation to science and statistics. It's a word that helps you talk about how probable or expected something is.
When you talk about the 'likelihood' of something, you are talking about how probable it is — how much chance there is that it will happen. Think of it as a way to measure possibility on a scale from 'very unlikely' to 'very likely'. If you say 'there is a high likelihood of rain', you mean it will probably rain.
everyday language · Modern, widely used
In science, mathematics, and research, 'likelihood' has a more precise meaning. It refers to a measured or calculated probability — a number that tells you how likely a particular outcome or result is, based on data or evidence. You will often see this in reports, studies, or academic writing.
science / statistics · Modern, widely used in academic and technical contexts
The study calculated the likelihood of developing the disease based on genetic factors.
Researchers use likelihood models to predict how populations will change over time.
You will very often see 'likelihood' used in the phrase 'in all likelihood'. This means 'almost certainly' or 'very probably'. It is a polite and slightly formal way of saying something is almost sure to happen. Think of it as a softer way of saying 'almost definitely'.
everyday language / formal writing · Modern, widely used