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Likely vs Doubtless - What's the difference?

likely | doubtless |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between likely and doubtless

is that likely is (obsolete) similarly while doubtless is (obsolete) free from fear or suspicion.

As adjectives the difference between likely and doubtless

is that likely is probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring while doubtless is characterized by or experiencing no doubt at all, certain; undoubted; undoubting.

As adverbs the difference between likely and doubtless

is that likely is (obsolete) similarly while doubtless is without doubt; very probably, in all likelihood; doubtlessly.

As a noun likely

is something or somebody considered likely.

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

    doubtless

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Characterized by or experiencing no doubt at all, certain; undoubted; undoubting.
  • * 1880 , B. Stewart and P. G. Tait, The Unseen Universe , Macmillan (London), p. xiii:
    • There are those who have doubtless faith in revelation.
  • * 1927 , , The Outlaw of Torn , ch. 7:
    • It is doubtless that the old reprobate who sued for his daughter's hand heard some unsavory truths from the man.
  • (obsolete) Free from fear or suspicion.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure.

    Derived terms

    * doubtlessness

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Without doubt; very probably, in all likelihood; doubtlessly.
  • * 1893 , , "The Realm Of The Unreal":
    • I cannot remember that I spoke a word, though doubtless I did.
  • * 1900 , , (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz):
    • The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as Uncle Henry, for two of them had beards. But the little woman was doubtless much older. Her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair was nearly white, and she walked rather stiffly.

    Synonyms

    * indubitably, undoubtedly, unquestionably

    Derived terms

    * doubtlessly

    References

    * English modal adverbs