different between likely vs frequent

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?la?kli/

Etymology 1

From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ?el?cl?? (“likely”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *l?kal?kaz, equivalent to like +? -ly.

Adjective

likely (comparative likelier or more likely, superlative likeliest or most likely)

1. probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring

2. (as predicate, followed by to and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable
3. appropriate, suitable; believable; having a good potential

4. plausible; within the realm of credibility
5. promising; apt to achieve success or yield a desired outcome

6. attractive; pleasant

7. (obsolete) Similar; like; alike.
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, An Hymne in Honour of Beautie

     For love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent

Derived terms

• likely lad

Synonyms

• (as predicate, followed by "to" and infinitive): liable

Translations

Noun

likely (plural likelies)

1. Something or somebody considered likely.

Etymology 2

From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ?el?cl??e (“equally”) and Old Norse líkliga, glíkliga (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *l?kal?ka, equivalent to like +? -ly.

Adverb

likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely) (US)

1. (obsolete) Similarly.
2. Probably.

Usage notes

• The adverb is more common in US English than in British English.
• As an adverb, likely is often preceded by a modifier such as most or quite.

Translations

Anagrams

• Ilkley, Killey

English

Etymology 1

From Old French frequent, from Latin frequens (“crowded, crammed, frequent, repeated, etc.”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhrek- (“to cram together”).

Pronunciation

• (General American, Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f?i?.kw?nt/

Adjective

frequent (comparative more frequent or frequenter, superlative most frequent or frequentest)

1. Done or occurring often; common.
2. Occurring at short intervals.
3. Addicted to any course of conduct; inclined to indulge in any practice; habitual; persistent.
4. (obsolete) Full; crowded; thronged.
   • 1603, Ben Jonson, Sejanus His Fall

     'Tis Caesar's will to have a frequent senate.

5. (obsolete) Often or commonly reported.
   • 1626, Philip Massinger, The Roman Actor

     'Tis frequent in the city he hath subdued / The Catti and the Daci.

Synonyms

• regular
• recurring
• continual
• steady

Antonyms

• rare
• uncommon

Related terms

• frequency
• frequently
• infrequent
• frequently asked question (FAQ)

Translations

Etymology 2

From Old French frequenter, from Latin frequentare (“to fill, crowd, visit often, do or use often, etc.”), from frequens (“frequent, crowded”)

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /f???kw?nt/
• Rhymes: -?nt

Verb

frequent (third-person singular simple present frequents, present participle frequenting, simple past and past participle frequented)

1. (transitive) To visit often.

Derived terms

• frequenter
• unfrequented

Translations

Further reading

• frequent in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• frequent in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

German

Etymology

From Latin frequens.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [f?e?kv?nt]
• Hyphenation: fre?quent

Adjective

frequent (comparative frequenter, superlative am frequentesten)

1. (dated or medicine) frequent

Declension

Further reading

• “frequent” in Duden online

Old French

Adjective

frequent m (oblique and nominative feminine singular frequent or frequente)

1. frequent; often

Declension

Descendants

• ? English: frequent
• French: fréquent