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Likely vs Able - What's the difference?

likely | able | Synonyms |

Likely is a synonym of able.


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

is that likely is (obsolete) similarly while able is (obsolete) to vouch for; to guarantee .

As adjectives the difference between likely and able

is that likely is probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring while able is (obsolete|passive) easy to use .

As nouns the difference between likely and able

is that likely is something or somebody considered likely while able is a word that is used in place of the letter "a" during communication.

As an adverb likely

is (obsolete) similarly.

As a verb able is

(obsolete) to make ready .

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

    able

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete) hable

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl), from .

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (obsolete, passive) Easy to use.
  • * 1710 , Thomas Betterton, The life of Mr. Thomas Betterton, the late eminent tragedian. :
    • As the hands are the most habil parts of the body...
  • (obsolete, passive) Suitable; competent.
  • * 2006 , Jon L. Wakelyn, America's Founding Charters: Primary Documents of Colonial and Revolutionary Era Governance, Volume 1 , Greenwood Publishing Group, pages 212:
    • ...and for every able man servant that he or she shall carry or send armed and provided as aforesaid, ninety acres of land of like measure.
  • (obsolete, dialectal, passive) Liable to.
  • Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
  • Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
    • I’ll see you as soon as I’m able .
    With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.
    I’m only able to visit you when I have other work here.
    That cliff is able to be climbed.
  • (obsolete, dialectal) Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
    • After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able .
  • (obsolete) Rich; well-to-do.
    • He was born to an able family.
  • Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
    • The chairman was also an able sailor.
  • (legal) Legally]] [[qualify, qualified or competent.
    • He is able to practice law in six states.
  • (nautical) Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
    • Synonyms
    * See also
    Derived terms
    * ability * -able * able-bodied * able seaman * ableism * be able, be able to * capable * disable * disabled * disablism * disability * enable

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) ablen, from (etyl) able (adjective).

    Verb

    (abl)
  • (obsolete) To make ready.
  • (obsolete) To make capable; to enable.
  • (obsolete) To dress.
  • (obsolete) To give power to; to reinforce; to confirm.
  • (obsolete) To vouch for; to guarantee.
  • * vi
    • None does offend, none....I’ll able ’em.
    Derived terms
    * abled

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (-)
  • A word that is used in place of the letter "A" during communication.

    • Statistics

    *

    References

    Anagrams

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