different between willingly vs likely

English

Etymology

From Middle English willyngly, wyllyngly (“intentionally, deliverately; freely, gladly”), from Old English willendl??e (“diligently”), equivalent to willing +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?w?l??li/
• Hyphenation: will?ing?ly

Adverb

willingly (comparative more willingly, superlative most willingly)

1. Of one’s own free will; freely and spontaneously.
   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 29.

     Now this is a process of the mind or thought, of which I would willingly know the foundation.

Synonyms

• gladly, happily

Translations

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