Like"ly, a. [Compar. Likelier (lk"l*r); superl. Likeliest.] [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.