ENGLISH
REFERENCE

probability

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪɫəˌti// UK //pɹˌɒbəbˈɪlɪti// prob·a·bil·i·ty General-service

n. how likely it is that something will happen. You use this to talk about the chance of an event occurring, like winning a game or it raining tomorrow.

n. the extent to which an event is likely to occur, measured by the ratio of favourable cases to the whole number of cases possible.


SIMPLE

There is a high probability of rain this afternoon.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor explained that the probability of a full recovery was high if the patient followed the treatment plan.

COMPLEX

While the individual outcomes of a coin toss are random, the mathematical probability of landing on heads remains exactly fifty percent over a sufficiently large number of trials.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”).

Usage

Often used with the prepositions 'of' or 'that'. When used in the plural ('the probabilities'), it refers to the various chances of different outcomes.

Pitfall

the probability for winningthe probability of winningThe noun probability typically takes the preposition 'of' followed by a gerund or noun phrase.

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