Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - likely

adj. & adv. --adj. 1 probable; such as well might happen or be true (it is not likely that they will come; the most likely place is London; a likely story). 2 (foll. by to + infin.) to be reasonably expected (he is not likely to come now). 3 promising; apparently suitable (this is a likely spot; three likely lads). --adv. probably (is very likely true). Phrases and idioms as likely as not probably. not likely! colloq. certainly not, I refuse. Derivatives likeliness n. Etymology: ME f. ON l{iacute}kligr (as LIKE(1), -LY(1))