probability — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The state of being probable.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (4)

   For, a man may with as great probability derive the Scots pedigree from the Gods, as from Scota that ſuppoſed and counterfeit daughter of the Ægyptian King Pharao, wedded (forſooth) unto Gaithelus, the ſonne of Cecrops founder of Athens. But, as this conceit ariſing from the unskilfulneſſe of Antiquitie, is of the better ſort of ingenuous Scots rejected: […]

   Thus, firſt Traditions were a proof alone; / Cou’d we be certain ſuch they were ſo known: / But ſince ſome Flaws in long deſcent may be, / They make not Truth but Probability.

   As Demonſtration is the ſhewing the agreement, or diſagreement of two Ideas, by the intervention of one or more Proofs, which have a conſtant, immutable, and viſible connexion one with another : ſo Probability is nothing but the appearance of ſuch an agreement, or diſagreement, by the intervention of Proofs, whoſe connexion is not conſtant and immutable, or at leaſt is not perceived to be ſo, but is, or appears for the moſt part to be ſo, and is enough to induce the Mind to judge the Propoſition to be true, or falſe, rather than the contrary.

   Thus though this degree of faith is but one remove from disbelief, (denial) nevertheless as much probability is given to one side of the question as the other, and we stand, as it were, on an average between two.

2. An event that is likely to occur.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   These waters wash from the rocks such glistering tinctures, that the ground in some places seemeth as guilded, that better iudgements then ours might haue been perswaded, they contained more then probabilities.

   As all experience shows, the probabilities are, that you will waste the rich treasure of your affection on one who has none to give in return, or who is wholly unworthy of the gift.

3. The relative likelihood of an event happening.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Hoyle said that the probability of life originating on Earth is no greater than the chance that a hurricane, sweeping through a scrapyard, would have the luck to assemble a Boeing 747.

4. A number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The probability of an event A occurring is denoted P(A).

Noun

1. a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

   Synonyms

   chance

   Broader terms

   measurequantityamount

   Examples

   the probability that an unbiased coin will fall with the head up is 0.5

   if that phone call is for me, chances are it's my wife

2. the quality of being probable; a probable event or the most probable event

   Antonyms

   improbability

   Broader terms

   quality

   Examples

   for a while mutiny seemed a probability

   going by past experience, there was a high probability that the visitors were lost