probably

adverb

prob·​a·​bly ˈprä-bə-blē 

ˈprä(b)-blē

: insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt

is probably happy

it will probably rain

Synonyms of probably

• likely
• perhaps
• maybe

Examples of probably in a Sentence

The impact probably added all but the last few percent of Earth's mass and set the stage for Earth's and the Moon's subsequent evolution. —Mark Wilson, Physics Today, February 2008

It was no secret that McKay preferred the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, and that, along with his innocent optimism and snark-free sincerity, probably makes him hopelessly old-fashioned. —Richard Hoffer, Sports Illustrated, 16 June 2008

But what these newly inaugurated gym rats probably don't know is that besides buffing up their bodies for summer, they're also buffing up their brains. —Christen Brownlee, Science News, 25 Feb. 2006

It will probably rain today.

They will probably be here soon.

It was probably the best concert I've ever been to.

There were probably about 150 people at the wedding.

“Are you going to the picnic?” “Probably.”

“Can you finish painting the room today?” “Probably not.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Families can book fun, themed suites that come with perks like children’s amenities and access to the hotel’s sprawling kids’ club, Buds (probably Singapore’s best). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The vast majority of driverless car accidents that show up in official government figures are minor and probably wouldn’t have been reported to authorities by human drivers. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Martin notes that the speed bump Skydance hit in the approval process — the antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 states — cost them probably another $500 million in higher interest fees on short-term debt as rates have inched up. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Some explanation of the people responsible for all this is probably in order. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see probable entry 1

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probably

• improbably

Kids Definition

probably

adverb

prob·​a·​bly ˈpräb-(ə-)blē 

ˈpräb-lē

: without much doubt : very likely