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likelihood

— The probability that an event, association, or difference will occur in a study or in practice


Synonyms:

probability, risk

Full explanation:

The likelihood of an event (outcome) is the chance that someone will experience that event; i.e. the number of people in a group that experience the event during a specified period, divided by the total number of people in that group.

The event can be either an undesirable or a desirable outcome.

Example:

For example, if 5 out of 100 people who had a heart attack had a second heart attack during the next 4 years, the likelihood of a second heart attack is 5/100 or 5%. Conversely, the likelihood of not having a second heart attack is 95/100 or 95%.

See also:

play of chance

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