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Lifely vs Likely - What's the difference?

lifely | likely |

As adjectives the difference between lifely and likely

is that lifely is of, pertaining to, or endued with life; living; vital; essential while likely is probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.

As adverbs the difference between lifely and likely

is that lifely is (archaic) in a lifelike manner while likely is (obsolete) similarly.

As a noun likely is

something or somebody considered likely.

lifely

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), from (etyl) .

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, pertaining to, or endued with life; living; vital; essential.
  • *1836 , Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Method of Spiritual Culture :
    • But since there is no other universal language of grammar, a middle course can be taken, and the English grammar may be taught according to a more lifely' classification, and in a more ' lifely language; […]
  • *1887 , Leader Scott, The Life of William Barnes: Poet and Philologist :
    • Every breathsome being is lifely', Every man is a breathsome being, Every man is ' lifely .
  • *2010 , Guy Albert Sadler, Outline for A Viable Techno Sphere :
    • We are, in comparison, much as mischievous adolescents in their self-conscious age of realization (in their fresh sequence of lifely development) for, too, our species has been shunted through the prevailing pessimism and accomplished the seemingly impossible metamorphosis of our progenitor's obsession: to produce a better specimen in the unfolding continuance of the species.
  • *2011 , Artis Lee Howard, Driven Into the Game :
    • “Now you listen here you low lifely bastard, he said, while pointing a finger. I know that you're a heartless motherfucker who chose to hurt people.
  • *2012 , Anna Sophia Karin Wettig, Facelifting Without Surgery :
    • This is only a fashion and will change. Try to find out what colours make you look more lifely and more healthy.
  • *2013 , Davina Worton, Someday :
    • “Apparently, when everyone reluctantly explained their various lifely' circumstances, you made no comments whatsoever. Were you perhaps ashamed or disgusted by what you were told?” “Most certainly not!” indignantly assured Madavena. “Instead, I was overcome with surprised admiration! I suddenly realised that my seemingly ordinary family had experienced every ' lifely situation imaginable!

    Etymology 2

    Compare (lively).

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (archaic) In a lifelike manner.
  • *1826 , George Lewis Smyth, The monuments and genii of st. Paul's cathedral and of Westminster abbey :
    • Unslain fro thee, which ay us lifely herteth, With books of his ornat enditing That is to all this land enlumining.
    (Chaucer)
    (Webster 1913)

    likely

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring
    • Rain is likely later this afternoon.
  • probable
    • They are likely to become angry with him.
  • *{{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff., work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?}}
  • appropriate, suitable; believable; having a good potential
    • Jones is a likely candidate for management.
  • plausible; Within the realm of credibility
    • not a very likely excuse.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 19 , author=Kerry Brown , title=Kim Jong-il obituary , work=The Guardian citation , page= , passage=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.}}
  • promising; Apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome
    • a likely topic for investigation.
  • attractive; pleasant
    • found a likely spot under a shady tree for the picnic.
  • Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined.
    • He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 3 , author=Chris Bevan , title=Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages -with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive.}}
  • (obsolete) Similar; like; alike.
    • (Spenser)

    Synonyms

    * liable

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (obsolete) Similarly.
  • Probably.
  • *, chapter=1
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage=Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ and if you don't look out there's likely to be some nice, lively dog taking an interest in your underpinning.”}}

    Usage notes

    * As an adverb, likely is often preceded by a modifier such as (most) or (quite). * Some usage guides consider adverbial likely'' - instead of ''probably - to be poor style and an artificial, sometimes pretentious way to imply a sense of erudition. One can also opt for the somewhat rarer adverbial form likelily.

    Noun

    (likelies)
  • Something or somebody considered likely.

    • Statistics

    * English hedges English modal adverbs