probably

adverb

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

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 Cole has collaborated with Kendrick in the past, and is probably game for some lyrical sparring — but the tension is deeper with Drake. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 This sort of thing is probably why economists don’t get invited to dinner very often. Jared Walczak, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024 That rain is expected to give way to snow across Southern California’s highest elevations, starting Saturday and picking up Sunday, and will probably affect some mountain passes, including the Grapevine, Schoenfeld said. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 In June 2022, based on the latest science, the EPA issued health advisories that said the chemicals are much more hazardous to human health than scientists originally thought and are probably more dangerous even at levels thousands of times lower than previously believed. Jen Christensen, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 This storm should push March precipitation above average and will probably mark the fourth instance of at least an inch of rain on a calendar day this year, the most this early in the year since 2003. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The part of the contract calling for an outside analysis of how trash pickup and recycling can be made more efficient is probably justified. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 Smith would probably insist that Trump’s mind and memory are just fine. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 If, for example, the casual viewer had watched CNN in December 2023, he probably ... Becket Adams, National Review, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'probably.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near probably

Cite this Entry

“Probably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probably. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

probably

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

More from Merriam-Webster on probably

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