probability
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the chance that something will happen or is true.
the quality or state of being probable; the extent to which something is likely to happen.
Simple“There is a high probability of rain this afternoon, so take an umbrella.”
In context“The probability of a successful merger remains high, provided that both boards agree on the final valuation by the end of the quarter.”
PitfallThere is a high probability for rain today. There is a high probability of rain today.Use the preposition 'of' after probability to indicate what event is likely to happen.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a number between 0 and 1 that shows exactly how likely something is.
a precise numerical measure of the likelihood of an event, where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty.
Simple“In this game, the probability of drawing a red card is exactly fifty percent.”
In context“The algorithm calculates the probability of each outcome based on historical data sets and real-time variables.”
UsageOften used with 'of' followed by a gerund or noun phrase.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
something that is very likely to happen.
a probable event or outcome; something that can reasonably be expected to occur.
Simple“A change in the law is now a strong probability rather than just a hope.”
In context“While a total market collapse is unlikely, a period of stagnation is a distinct probability that investors must prepare for.”
Synonyms
Usage highly probability · increase probability · reduce probability
“If you stick you will win in 1000 trials, a win probability of 2/3, and if you switch you will win in 500 trials, a win probability of 1/3.”
“Most public health scientists believed that nature was the only important “bioterrorist” , based simply on prior probabilities.”
From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.