probability - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
probability Word Meanings
- the likelihood of something happening
- a measure of how likely an event is
- the chance that an event will occur
probability Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
probability Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/prɒbəˈbɪləti/
US
/prɑːbəˈbɪləti/
probability Word Etymology
pro- = before + babilitas = ability; Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English; Memory image: Imagine a dice before rolling, representing the chances we take, highlighting the uncertainty and outcomes involved.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I sit with a plan and move my finger over a weather app, watching choices shift as the numbers rise and fall. I adjust the route, turn options this way and that, and I keep a steady eye on what might happen. The sense of probability grows when more clues line up and I feel a push toward a single choice. In everyday decisions, I feel it in what I pack, what I wear, and which plan I commit to.
Real Context
Probability is a way to describe how likely it is that something will happen. In everyday life we use it to judge risks, make plans, and interpret data. In mathematics, probability assigns numbers to events based on possible outcomes, often with favorable outcomes divided by total outcomes. The term can refer to a single event, like the chance of rain, or to more complex situations, like the probability distribution over many possible results. Learners should distinguish probability from odds, rates, and certainty, since people often confuse a low probability with impossibility or confuse frequentist estimates with subjective beliefs.
Usage Reminders
- Remember that probability is about likelihood, not certainty.
- Use 0 to 1 or percent to express it.
- Distinguish probability from odds and certainty.
- Think about trials and outcomes, not just a single result.
- Learn the difference between independent events and conditional probability.
Common Misconceptions
- A low probability means it will never happen.
- Probability equals certainty.
- Odds and probability are the same thing.
- If something happens many times, its probability of happening in the next trial must be high.
- Probability can predict a single outcome with perfect precision.
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate 'probability' from terms like 'odds' and 'certainty' more clearly than some languages; learners often confuse low probability with impossibility or mix up probability with frequency.
Learning Tips
- Practice with dice and cards to see how probabilities add up
- Keep 0-1 or percent format consistent
- Differentiate between probability and odds
- Study independent vs conditional probability through simple experiments
- Use real data to estimate frequencies
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'probability'?
A.A type of fruit
B.A type of boat
C.The likelihood of something happening
D.A type of weather
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'probability' correctly?
A.I ate a delicious probability for breakfast.
B.The probability of winning the lottery is high today.
C.The probability told me to bring an umbrella today.
D.She lost her probability in the park.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is the most similar word to 'probability'?
A.Possibility
B.Celebration
C.Journey
D.Building
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'probability'?
A.Confusion
B.Certainty
C.Surprise
D.Comfort
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life scenario of 'probability'?
A.Singing in the rain
B.Estimating the probability of rain based on cloud cover
C.Buying a new car
D.Cooking dinner
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