probably

adverb

prob·​a·​bly ˈprä-bə-blē How to pronounce probably (audio)
ˈprä(b)-blē
Synonyms of probably
: insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt
is probably happy
it will probably rain

Synonyms of probably

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Marschall’s initial assessment was that the tree’s life probably began before European settlers arrived in the region, at a time when the mountain was populated by autonomous Indigenous nations that later became part of the Creek Confederacy. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The real problem is that there are plenty of people who are probably betting the wrong way (à la Situational Awareness ) on France, and maybe on Japan, for that matter. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Most people milling around the neighborhood probably don’t know that blocks away, Chavarria and his team are up here, dreaming up how pop culture will look next. — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026 That probably has a lot to do with the number of mistakes the Ducks made and the perception the Bruins outplayed them. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probably

Word History

Etymology

see probable entry 1

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of probably was in 1600

Rhymes for probably

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Browse Nearby Words

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probably
proband
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Cite this Entry

“Probably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probably. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

probably

adverb
prob·​a·​bly ˈpräb-(ə-)blē How to pronounce probably (audio)
ˈpräb-lē
: without much doubt : very likely
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