probably
∞
1.0
- adverb
- /ˈprɑːbəbli/
:
probablemente
- If you study hard, you will probably pass the exam.
- most probably
- probably get
- probably comes
Well, not that long ago, probably two years ago.
- Well, not that long ago, probably two years ago.
- In fact, I'd argue you probably did too much.
- Some of you have probably heard stuff like this.
- Well, I would say it probably doesn't have to be.
- If not, then I will probably just transfer it.
- Well, I I would probably pull the lever.
- So, but yeah, that was probably the biggest thing.
- OK, so I think it's probably time to finish.
Examples
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But I think they probably started too late.
-
No, no, I think that's probably a safe bet.
-
And that guy you can probably tell is me.
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Well, not that long ago, probably two years ago.
-
Not that that is probably going to surprise you.
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If not, then I will probably just transfer it.
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But you should probably prepare for your guests.
-
So yeah, they've known for probably three months.
-
You'll probably find him right there.
-
The warriors who defended the border probably lived in these settlements with their families.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
It might happen or be true
∞
1.0
To say something might be true
∞
1.0
May happen or be true and sometimes makes a request more polite
786
1.0
There is a good chance it will happen
278
4.3
To say that something is likely but not certain
81
3.2
It is likely that something will happen
43
6.5
Said, often politely, to show you think something is likely to be true
24
3.2
Very likely to happen or be true
22
9.9
To say you are sure something will happen
8
3.8
Very likely to happen or be true
People use it to say something will probably happen in informal speech or text
How Likely
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word probably comes from probable, which comes from the Latin verb probare meaning 'to test' or 'to prove' and is the same root as the common word prove. The -ly ending changes probable into a word that shows how likely something is, so probably means 'in a likely way' — something you think will most likely happen but are not certain about.