waarschijnlijkheidsintervallen

Waarschijnlijk is a Dutch word meaning "probably" or "likely." It is used to express probability rather than certainty and can function as both an adverb and an adjective. In everyday language it helps indicate that a statement or outcome is plausible without asserting it as fact.

Etymology and related forms: The term derives from the verb waarschijnen, meaning "to seem" or "to appear true," combined with the suffix -lijk to form an adjective. The related noun is waarschijnlijkheid, meaning "probability." The superlative and comparative forms are less common for this word, but common intensifiers include hoogstwaarschijnlijk (very likely) and zeer waarschijnlijk (highly probable).

Usage and grammar: As an adverb, waarschijnlijk typically precedes the main clause or the verb, as in "Het zal waarschijnlijk morgen regenen" (It will probably rain tomorrow) or "Het is waarschijnlijk dat hij komt." It can also modify adjectives or nouns in adjective form, as in "een waarschijnlijk gevolg" (a probable consequence). In formal contexts, precursors like waarschijnlijker or hoogstwaarschijnlijk worden used to refine probability, though hoogstwaarschijnlijk is more common as an adverbial intensifier.

Nuance and alternatives: Waarschijnlijk conveys a sense of likelihood without certainty. It contrasts with mogelijk (possible) and vermoedelijk (presumably), which carry slightly different shades of probability or evidence. The choice among these terms depends on the strength of inference and the speaker’s confidence.

See also: probability terms in Dutch, waarschijnlijke/waarschijnlijkheid, mogelijk, vermoedelijk, hoogstwaarschijnlijk.