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Likely vs Fit - What's the difference?

likely | fit | Synonyms |

Likely is a synonym of fit.


As an adjective likely

is probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring.

As an adverb likely

is (obsolete) similarly.

As a noun likely

is something or somebody considered likely.

As an abbreviation fit is

(travel industry|aviation) fully inclusive tour.

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.
  • fit

    English

    Etymology 1

    Possibly from the (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (fitter)
  • Suitable, proper.
  • You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit .
  • * Bible, Job xxxiv. 18
  • Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
  • * {{quote-book, year=2005, by=
  • , passage=The rest we'll leave to be examined later, if we think fit ;}}
  • Adapted to a purpose or environment.
  • survival of the fittest
  • * Shakespeare
  • That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
  • In good shape; physically well.
  • You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit .
  • (British, slang) Good looking, fanciable, attractive, beautiful.
  • I think the girl working in the office is fit .
  • Prepared; ready.
  • * Fairfax
  • So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
    Derived terms
    * fighting fit * fit as a fiddle * fitly * fitness * fittie * unfit

    Etymology 2

    From the adjective .

    Verb

  • To be suitable for.
  • It fits the purpose.
  • * 1918 , Richard Dennis Teall Hollister, Speech-making , publ. George Wahr, pg. 81:
  • The speaker should be certain that his subject fits the occasion.
  • To conform to in size and shape.
  • The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
    If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
  • To be of the right size and shape, as of clothing.
  • I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit .
  • To make conform in size and shape.
  • I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
  • # To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
  • I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
  • To be in agreement with.
  • These definitions fit most of the usage.
  • To adjust.
  • The regression program fit a line to the data.
  • To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=May 13 , author=Andrew Benson , title=Williams's Pastor Maldonado takes landmark Spanish Grand Prix win , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Williams had a problem fitting his left rear tyre and that left Alonso only 3.1secs adrift when he rejoined from his final stop three laps later.}}
  • To equip or supply.
  • The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
  • To make ready.
  • I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
  • (archaic) To be seemly.
  • To be proper or becoming.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
  • To be in harmony.
  • The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit .
    Derived terms
    * fit like a glove * fit up * misfit

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The degree to which something fits.
  • This shirt is a bad fit .
    Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit .
  • Conformity of elements one to another.
  • It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
  • The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
  • (advertising) how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
  • The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
  • (statistics) goodness of fit.
  • Usage notes
    Usually used in the singular preceded by an indefinite article and an adjective.

    References

    * (advertising) The Advertising Research Handbook Charles E. Young, Ideas in Flight, Seattle, WA, April 2005

    Etymology 3

    , or, from the sense of fitted to length.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.
  • * 1771 , (1791), vol 2:
  • Dr. Percy has written a long ballad in many fits .
  • * Spenser
  • to play some pleasant fit

    References

    * Oxford English Dictionary: fit, fyte n. 1

    Etymology 4

    .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A seizure or convulsion.
  • My grandfather died after having a fit .
  • (medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
  • A sudden outburst of emotion.
  • He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
    She had a fit and had thrown all of his clothes out of the window.
    He threw a fit when his car broke down.
  • A sudden burst (of an activity).
  • *
  • Synonyms
    * (sudden outburst of emotion) blowout, hissy, tantrum, spell, moment * (sudden burst of activity) flurry, frenzy
    Derived terms
    * fits and starts * fit of rage * have a fit * hissy fit * pitch a fit * shit fit * snit fit * throw a fit

    Verb

    (fitt)
  • (medicine) To suffer a fit.