Definition of likely

"likely" in the adjective sense

1. likely

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"

2. probable, likely

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

"a likely result"

"he foresaw a probable loss"

3. likely, potential

expected to become or be in prospect

"potential clients"

4. likely

within the realm of credibility

"not a very likely excuse"

"likely" in the adverb sense

1. probably, likely, in all likelihood, in all probability, belike

with considerable certainty without much doubt

"He is probably out of the country"

"in all likelihood we are headed for war"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.


View WordNet® License

Quotations for likely

Likely tumbles in the fire,
When unlikely rises higher. [ Proverb ]

That is as likely as to see a hog fly. [ Proverb ]

Likely lies in the mire, when unlikely gets over. [ Proverb ]

Rashness may conquer, but its not likely it should. [ Proverb ]

There are likely to be short graces where the devil plays host. [ Lamb ]

The more you speak of yourself, the more you are likely to lie. [ Zimmermann ]

You are as likely to obtain your wish, as the wolf is to eat the moon. [ Proverb ]

When what is good comes of age, and is likely to live, there is reason for rejoicing. [ George Eliot ]

The man who in this world can keep the whiteness of his soul is not likely to lose it in any other. [ Alexander Smith ]

He who seldom thinks of heaven is not likely to get thither; as the only way to hit the mark is to keep the eye fixed upon it. [ Bishop Horne ]

As houses well stored with provisions are likely to be full of mice, so the bodies of those that eat much are full of diseases. [ Diogenes ]

If you do not wish a man to do a thing, you had better get him to talk about it; for the more men talk, the more likely they are to do nothing else. [ Carlyle ]

Every man's experience of today is that he was a fool yesterday and the day before yesterday. Tomorrow he will most likely be of exactly the same opinion. [ Charles Mackay ]

I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others. [ Bruyere ]

He that can heroically endure adversity will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former is not likely to be transported by the latter. [ Fielding ]

A people that studies its own past, and rejoices in the nation's proud memories, is likely to be a patriotic people, the bulwark of law, and the courageous champion of right in the hour of need. [ Joseph Anderson ]

It is better to decide a difference between our enemies than our friends; for one of our friends will most likely become our enemy; but on the other hand, one of our enemies will probably become our friend. [ Bias ]

So also it is good not always to make a friend of the person who is expert in twining himself around us; but, after testing them, to attach ourselves to those who are worthy of our affection and likely to be serviceable to us. [ Plutarch ]

He that can keep handsomely within rules, and support the carriage of a companion to his mistress, is much more likely to prevail than he who lets her see the whole relish of his life depends upon her. If possible, therefore, divert your mistress rather than sigh for her. [ Steele ]

Scepticism commonly takes up the room left by defect of imagination, and is the very quality of mind most likely to seek for sensual proof of supersensual things. If one came from the dead it could not believe; and yet it longs for such a witness, and will put up with a very dubious one. [ Lowell ]

There are few thoughts likely to come across ordinary men which have not already been expressed by greater men in the best possible way; and it is a wiser, more generous, more noble thing to remember and point out the perfect words than to invent poorer ones, wherewith to encumber temporarily the world. [ John Ruskin ]

Writers of novels and romances in general bring a double loss on their readers, - they rob them both of their time and money; representing men, manners and things that never have been, nor are likely to be; either confounding or perverting history and truth, inflating the mind, or committing violence upon the understanding. [ Mary Wortley Montagu ]

It unfortunately happens that no man believes that he is likely to die soon. So every one is much disposed to defer the consideration of what ought to be done on the supposition of such an emergency; and while nothing is so uncertain as human life, so nothing is so certain as our assurance that we shall survive most of our neighbors. [ Aughey ]

Propriety of thought and propriety of diction are commonly found together. Obscurity and affectation are the two great faults of style. Obscurity of expression generally springs from confusion of ideas; and the same wish to dazzle, at any cost, which produces affectation in the manner of a writer, is likely to produce sophistry in his reasoning. [ Macaulay ]

Men cannot labor on always. They must have intervals of relaxation. They cannot sleep through these interTafs. What are they to do? Why, if they do not work or sleep, they must have recreation. And if they have not recreation from healthful sources, they will be very likely to take it from the poisoned fountains of intemperance. Or, if they have pleasures, which, though innocent, are forbidden by the maxims of public morality, their very pleasures are liable to become poisoned fountains. [ Orville Dewey ]

likely in Scrabble®

The word likely is playable in Scrabble®, no blanks required.

Scrabble® Letter Score: 13

Highest Scoring Scrabble® Play In The Letters likely:

LIKELY
(54)
 

All Scrabble® Plays For The Word likely

LIKELY
(54)
LIKELY
(51)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
(18)
LIKELY
(17)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(14)

The 200 Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays For Words Using The Letters In likely

LIKELY
(54)
LIKELY
(51)
YELK
(48)
YELK
(45)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(39)
LIKELY
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KILL
(39)
LIKELY
(34)
LIKELY
(34)
LILY
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELL
(33)
YILL
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(32)
KEY
(30)
LIKELY
(30)
KEY
(30)
KEY
(30)
LIKELY
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YELK
(30)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKE
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KILL
(27)
LIKE
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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KILL
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKE
(24)
LIKE
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LIKE
(24)
LILY
(24)
KILL
(24)
KILL
(24)
KILL
(24)
KILL
(24)
YELL
(24)
LIKE
(24)
YILL
(24)
LIKELY
(23)
LIKELY
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YELL
(22)
YELK
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LILY
(22)
YELK
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YILL
(22)
YELK
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YELK
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LILY
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LILY
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LILY
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ELK
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ILK
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ELK
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YELL
(21)
LEK
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ILK
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LEK
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LEK
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YILL
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YELL
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YILL
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ILK
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ELK
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LILY
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YELL
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YELK
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YILL
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YELL
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YILL
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KEY
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KEY
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KEY
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KEY
(20)
YELK
(19)
KEY
(19)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LYE
(18)
LIKE
(18)
LIKE
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LIKELY
(18)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
(18)
LYE
(18)
KEY
(18)
LIKE
(18)
KILL
(18)
LYE
(18)
KILL
(18)
ELK
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ILK
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YELK
(17)
LIKELY
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LEK
(17)
YELK
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KILL
(16)
LIKE
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LIKE
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KILL
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LIKE
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YILL
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LILY
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KILL
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LIKE
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YELL
(16)
YELK
(16)
KILL
(16)
YE
(15)
LIKELY
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LILY
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YE
(15)
YELK
(15)
YELL
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
YILL
(15)
KEY
(15)
LILY
(14)
ILK
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ELK
(14)
YELL
(14)
LEK
(14)
YILL
(14)
LILY
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LEK
(14)
YELL
(14)
LEK
(14)
LIKELY
(14)
YELL
(14)
ELK
(14)
ILK
(14)
KILL
(14)
ELK
(14)
LYE
(14)
LILY
(14)
YILL
(14)
LILY
(14)
LIKE
(14)
KEY
(14)
YILL
(14)
YELL
(14)
YILL
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ILK
(14)
KILL
(13)
YE
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ELK
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LEK
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LIKE
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YELK
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YELK
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ILK
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LEK
(12)
LYE
(12)
LYE
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LYE
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YILL
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LILY
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ILK
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YELL
(12)
YELK
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ELK
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YELK
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KEY
(12)
YELK
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LILY
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KEY
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YILL
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YELL
(11)
YE
(10)
KILL
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KILL
(10)
LIKE
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KILL
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KEY
(10)
LYE
(10)
LIKE
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YE
(10)
KILL
(10)
LIKE
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LIKE
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KILL
(9)
LIKE
(9)
KILL
(9)
KILL
(9)

likely in Words With Friends™

The word likely is playable in Words With Friends™, no blanks required.

Words With Friends™ Letter Score: 14

Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Play In The Letters likely:

LIKELY
(84)
 

All Words With Friends™ Plays For The Word likely

LIKELY
(84)
LIKELY
(72)
LIKELY
(66)
LIKELY
(60)
LIKELY
(56)
LIKELY
(56)
LIKELY
(54)
LIKELY
(54)
LIKELY
(48)
LIKELY
(48)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
LIKELY
(40)
LIKELY
(38)
LIKELY
(36)
LIKELY
(36)
LIKELY
(34)
LIKELY
(32)
LIKELY
(32)
LIKELY
(32)
LIKELY
(30)
LIKELY
(30)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
(22)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
(22)
LIKELY
(21)
LIKELY
(21)
LIKELY
(21)
LIKELY
(20)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
(18)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
(17)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(14)

The 200 Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays Using The Letters In likely

LIKELY
(84)
LIKELY
(72)
LIKELY
(66)
YELK
(63)
LIKELY
(60)
KILL
(60)
LIKELY
(56)
LIKELY
(56)
LIKELY
(54)
LIKELY
(54)
YELK
(51)
LIKELY
(48)
LIKELY
(48)
LILY
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
KILL
(42)
YELL
(42)
LIKELY
(42)
YILL
(42)
LIKELY
(40)
LIKE
(39)
LIKELY
(38)
LIKELY
(36)
LIKELY
(36)
YILL
(36)
YELL
(36)
LILY
(36)
LIKELY
(34)
LIKE
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(33)
YELK
(33)
LIKELY
(32)
LIKELY
(32)
YELK
(32)
LIKELY
(32)
KILL
(30)
KILL
(30)
KILL
(30)
KILL
(30)
KILL
(30)
LIKELY
(30)
LIKELY
(30)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
YELK
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKELY
(28)
LIKE
(27)
KEY
(27)
LIKE
(27)
KEY
(27)
KEY
(27)
LIKE
(27)
LIKE
(27)
KEY
(25)
YELL
(24)
LEK
(24)
ILK
(24)
YILL
(24)
ILK
(24)
ELK
(24)
YILL
(24)
KILL
(24)
KILL
(24)
YELL
(24)
LILY
(24)
YELL
(24)
LIKELY
(24)
YILL
(24)
LILY
(24)
LEK
(24)
YELL
(24)
ELK
(24)
ELK
(24)
LILY
(24)
YILL
(24)
LEK
(24)
LILY
(24)
ILK
(24)
LIKE
(23)
YELK
(23)
LEK
(22)
YELK
(22)
LIKELY
(22)
LIKELY
(22)
LIKELY
(22)
YELK
(22)
YILL
(22)
LILY
(22)
YELL
(22)
YELK
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LIKE
(22)
YELK
(22)
YELK
(21)
LIKELY
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LIKELY
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LIKELY
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YELK
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YELL
(20)
LIKE
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ELK
(20)
LILY
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YILL
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KILL
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KILL
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KILL
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ILK
(20)
LIKELY
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KILL
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KILL
(20)
KEY
(19)
LIKELY
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LIKE
(19)
YELK
(19)
LIKELY
(18)
LYE
(18)
ELK
(18)
LIKE
(18)
LIKELY
(18)
LIKE
(18)
YILL
(18)
LIKE
(18)
LIKE
(18)
LEK
(18)
KEY
(18)
LIKELY
(18)
LYE
(18)
KEY
(18)
KEY
(18)
LYE
(18)
ILK
(18)
LIKELY
(18)
YELL
(18)
KEY
(17)
YELK
(17)
LIKELY
(17)
YELK
(17)
KILL
(17)
KILL
(17)
LIKELY
(17)
LIKELY
(17)
LILY
(16)
LILY
(16)
LILY
(16)
LILY
(16)
LILY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
YILL
(16)
YILL
(16)
YELK
(16)
LILY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
YILL
(16)
YELL
(16)
YELK
(16)
YELL
(16)
YELL
(16)
YELL
(16)
YILL
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
LIKELY
(16)
LEK
(16)
ELK
(16)
KILL
(16)
LEK
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ILK
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LEK
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ILK
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ELK
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ELK
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ILK
(16)
LIKE
(16)
ELL
(15)
KILL
(15)
ILL
(15)
LEK
(15)
ILL
(15)
ILL
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
LIKELY
(15)
KEY
(15)
ELL
(15)
YELK
(15)
ELL
(15)
LILY
(14)
YILL
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YELK
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LIKELY
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LIKE
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YELL
(14)
KILL
(14)
ILK
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YELL
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ELK
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YILL
(14)

Words within the letters of likely

2 letter words in likely (2 words)

3 letter words in likely (8 words)

4 letter words in likely (6 words)

6 letter words in likely (1 word)

likely + 1 blank (1 word)

Words containing the sequence likely

Words that start with likely (1 word)

Words with likely in them (1 word)

Words that end with likely (2 words)

Word Growth involving likely

Shorter words in likely

el

like

Longer words containing likely

unlikely