Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - likely

~1 adj likelier, likeliest 1 something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true  (Snow showers are likely in the next 24 hours. | the likely cost of the operation | the likeliest outcome of the talks | likely to do sth)  (remarks that are likely to offend some war veterans | more than likely (that) (=almost certain))  (Ian had been sick too, so it's more than likely you caught it from him.) 2 only before noun as suitable or almost certain to produce good results  (a likely candidate | Search all the most likely places first - maybe he's hiding in the cellar. | likely-looking (=seeming likely to produce results)) 3 a likely story spoken used to tell someone you do not believe what they have just said ~2 adv 1 probably  (I'd very likely have done the same thing in your situation. | likely as not spoken (=probably))  (Likely as not, we'll never be told what really happened.) 2 not likely! spoken especially BrE used to disagree strongly, or to say that something will not happen  ("He said you'd be giving them a lift." "Not likely!")