• Likelihood

    Origin

    likely + -hood

    Noun

    likelihood

    (countable and uncountable; plural likelihoods)
    1. 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.
    2. (mathematics) Shorthand for likelihood function; the probability that a real world experiment would generate a specific datum, as a function of the parameters of a mathematical model.
    3. Likeness, resemblance."There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, or between righteousness and reprobation." (Sir W. Raleigh)
    4. (archaic) Appearance, show, sign, expression."What of his heart perceive you in his face by any likelihood he showed to-day ?" (Shak)

    Antonyms

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