Likely has 9 different meanings across 3 categories:
Something or somebody considered likely.
"The evidence suggests that John is the most likely suspect in the case."
In plain English: There is no noun form of the word likely because it is only an adjective used to describe how probable something is.
"The likely of rain was high this afternoon."
Usage: The word "likely" functions only as an adjective or adverb in modern English and has no standard usage as a noun. Do not use it to refer to a person or thing that is probable; instead, rephrase the sentence using nouns like "person," "candidate," or "outcome."
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
"these services are likely to be available to us all before long"
"she is likely to forget"
"a likely place for a restaurant"
"the broken limb is likely to fall"
"rain is likely"
"a likely topic for investigation"
"likely candidates for the job"
probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring
"Given the dark clouds and the wind picking up, it is highly likely that our picnic will be canceled before we even leave the house."
In plain English: Likely means something has a good chance of happening.
"Based on the dark clouds, rain is likely later today."
Usage: Use "likely" to describe something that has a high probability of happening based on available evidence or circumstances. Avoid using it to simply mean "possible," as the word specifically implies a greater-than-even chance of occurrence.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
"He is probably out of the country"
"in all likelihood we are headed for war"
Similarly.
"The report suggests that inflation will rise, and it is likely that interest rates will follow suit as well."
In plain English: Likely means that something has a good chance of happening.
"It is likely to rain this afternoon."
Usage: Do not use "likely" as an adverb to mean "similarly," as this is a common error; instead, reserve it for modifying verbs to indicate probability or possibility. Use words like "likewise" or "similarly" when you intend to show that something happens in the same way.
A census-designated place in Modoc County, California, United States.
"The residents of Likely enjoyed their annual harvest festival despite the chilly October weather."
The word "likely" comes from Middle English, where it originally meant "suitable." It traveled into modern usage with the sense of probability rather than fittingness.