Likelihood

Likelihood

Noun · /ˈlaɪk.li.hʊd/

Definition

The state or fact of being likely; the probability that something will happen; the chance that something is true or will occur.

Origin

From likely (from Old Norse líkligr — likely, probable, from líkr — like, similar) + -hood (from Old English -hād — state, condition, quality — the same suffix as in childhood, neighbourhood, falsehood). Likelihood has been in English since the 15th century. The statistical term likelihood (as distinct from probability) was formalised by Ronald Fisher in the 20th century.