likelihood

/ˌlaɪkliˈhʊd/

/ˈlaɪklihʊd/

Other forms: likelihoods

The likelihood of something means the odds that it will happen, or how likely a particular outcome is. Your likelihood of winning the lottery is pretty slim.

If you figured out the likelihood of winning the lottery before you bought a scratch ticket, you might end up spending your money on something else. Likelihood indicates probability or chance. The likelihood that you'll convince your stubborn dog to get in your car completely depends on how many dog treats you've got in your pocket.

Definitions of likelihood

1. noun

   the probability of a specified outcome
   synonyms: likeliness

   antonyms:

   unlikelihood

   the improbability of a specified outcome

   types:

   odds

   the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

   type of:

   probability

   the quality of being probable; a probable event or the most probable event