Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

likelihood

/ˈlaɪklihʊd/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.91 in modern English

Syllables: like-li-hood
IPA: /ˈlaɪklihʊd/

18

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Likeness, resemblance.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Appearance, show, sign, expression.

Archaic; Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"In all likelihood the meeting will be cancelled."
"The likelihood is that the inflation rate will continue to rise."
"While starting early can increase your likelihood of attaining millionaire status, the investments you choose play an equally important role."
"There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, […]or between righteousness and reprobation."

Etymology

From Middle English liklihode, equivalent to likely + -hood.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: liklihode

Usage

Inflected Forms

likelihoods (plural) likelyhood (alternative)

Derived Forms

dislikelihood loglikelihood pseudolikelihood quasilikelihood

Phrases

in all likelihood Whittle likelihood

Synonyms

likeliness liability odds

Antonyms

unlikelihood

Rhymes With

would good could should hold good blood wood understood stood hood -hood misunderstood

Questions

How do you pronounce likelihood?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlaɪklihʊd/.
What does likelihood mean?: The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state or degree of being probable.
Where does likelihood come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce likelihood

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “likelihood”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈlaɪklihʊd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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