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Likelihood vs Possibly - What's the difference?

likelihood | possibly |

As a noun likelihood

is the probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state of being probable.

As an adverb possibly is

(modifying a clause or predicate).

likelihood

English

Noun

(Likelihood function)
  • The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state of being probable.
  • In all likelihood the meeting will be cancelled.
    The likelihood is that the inflation rate will continue to rise.
  • (statistics) The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.
  • Likeness, resemblance.
  • "There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, or between righteousness and reprobation." (Sir W. Raleigh)
  • (archaic) Appearance, show, sign, expression.
  • "What of his heart perceive you in his face by any likelihood he showed to-day ?" (Shak)

    Synonyms

    * likeliness * odds

    Antonyms

    * unlikelihood

    possibly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (modifying a clause or predicate)
  • Possibly , they will make gains in the midterm elections.
    It was possibly the costliest mistake in the organization's history.
    This rare and possibly unique specimen must be conserved.
  • (modifying a verb)
  • I'm much stronger than you, so you can't possibly win.
    I couldn't possibly be there on time.
    I couldn't possibly cheat on my wife.
    It seems unlikely, but, yes, they could possibly win even now.
    The police don't know him, and the information they have leads them to think he could possibly have murdered his wife.

    Synonyms

    * conceivably, maybe, perhaps, potentially

    Antonyms

    * impossibly * inevitably * certainly