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probability

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probability

Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++
Related topics: Maths
prob·a·bil·i·ty /ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti $ ˌprɑː-/ ●●○ noun  1 [countable, uncountable]PROBABLY how likely something is, sometimes calculated in a mathematical way 可能性;几率,概率 SYN likelihood, chancethe probability of (doing) something The probability of winning the lottery is really very low. 彩票的中奖几率是非常低的。probability that There is a 95% probability that she will not have the disease. 她有95%的概率不会得这种病。high/strong probability There’s a high probability that the children will follow a different career. 孩子们很有可能会从事一项不同的职业。 You must decide whether, on the balance of probabilities, he committed the crime. 你们一定要权衡正反两方面的可能性,然后再裁定他是否犯罪。2 [singular] what is likely or something that is likely 可能发生的事;可能存在的事 The probability is that smaller businesses will not have to pay the tax. 较小的企业可能无需缴这种税。 A peace agreement now seems a probability rather than a possibility. 达成和平协定现在似乎是十有八九的事,而不只是一种可能性。3 in all probability PROBABLYvery probably 很可能,十有八九 Mistakes could and, in all probability, would occur. 错误可能而且也完全有可能发生。nCOLLOCATIONSadjectiveshighThis method of treatment has a high probability of success.lowThe probability of being struck by lightning is pretty low.a strong probability (=a high probability)There is a strong probability that the letter has been destroyed.an equal probabilityEach new baby has an approximately equal probability of inheriting maleness or femaleness.the statistical probabilityThe statistical probability of a plane crash is increasing.phraseson the balance of probabilities (=considering the probability of two or more events)A decision about removing a child from its parents is made on the balance of probabilities.
Examples from the Corpus
probabilityThere is a 90% probability that the hurricane will hit the coast of Florida later today.They have shown that certain approaches have a high probability of success, while others, a high probability of failure.Citing mathematical probabilities clearly does not establish the nonexistence of extraterrestrial being.Most students need probability and statistics more than they need calculus.They have rewritten the record books, stormed the male bastion of Grandmaster chess, and defied the laws of probability.We talk, therefore, of probabilities or outcomes provided circumstances do not change.Children with formal operations typically respond to this kind of problem with responses based on probability.Genetic tests show a 99.4 percent probability that Hill is the child's father.War is a real probability.There is a strong probability that the problem will recur if we do not deal with it now.What about measures based on odds rather than probabilities?We must increase our efforts to reduce the probability of such an accident happening again.The probability of catching the disease from your partner is extremely low.high/strong probabilityEven when the correct word was given a high probability, there were many other words with an equally high probability.It will be important to present an idea that has a high probability of success.They have shown that certain approaches have a high probability of success, while others, a high probability of failure.Also there is a high probability that your holiday meals were lower in roughage than your own regime at home.As many good projects - those with a high probability of being profitable - as possible should be estimated.Does he need a home run so bad that he should risk the high probability of a strikeout?
From Longman Business Dictionaryprobabilityprob‧a‧bil‧i‧ty /ˌprɒbəˈbɪlətiˌprɑː-/ noun (plural probabilities) [countable, uncountable] STATISTICS the chance that something will happen, calculated mathematicallyCompanies may collaborate (=work together) in working out loss probabilities.the influence of significant variables, including probability
prob·a·bil·i·ty nounn COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
in likely how something is, sometimes calculated Corpus Business


probability
probability /ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti, ˌprɒbəˈbɪlɪti $ ˌprɑː-/ noun
 Word Family: noun: probability, probable; adverb: probablyimprobably; adjective: probableimprobable
1. [uncountable and countable] how likely something is, sometimes calculated in a mathematical way
   SYN  likelihood, chance
    the probability of (doing) something
    The probability of winning the lottery is really very low.
    probability that
    There is a 95% probability that she will not have the disease.
    high/strong probability
    There’s a high probability that the children will follow a different career.
    You must decide whether, on the balance of probabilities, he committed the crime.
2. [singular] what is likely or something that is likely:
    The probability is that smaller businesses will not have to pay the tax.
    A peace agreement now seems a probability rather than a possibility.
3. in all probability very probably:
    Mistakes could and, in all probability, would occur.
     
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
    high This method of treatment has a high probability of success.
    low The probability of being struck by lightning is pretty low.
    a strong probability (=a high probability) There is a strong probability that the letter has been destroyed.
    an equal probability Each new baby has an approximately equal probability of inheriting maleness or femaleness.
    the statistical probability The statistical probability of a plane crash is increasing.
■ phrases
    on the balance of probabilities (=considering the probability of two or more events) A decision about removing a child from its parents is made on the balance of probabilities.


prob·abil·ityBrE /ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti/ 🔊NAmE /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪləti/ 🔊 noun (
plural
prob·abil·ities
)
[uncountable, countable] how likely sth is to happen 可能性;或然性 SYN likelihood The probability is that prices will rise rapidly. 物价有可能会迅速上升。🔊🔊There seemed to be a high probability of success. 成功的几率似乎很高。🔊🔊 [countable] a thing that is likely to happen 很可能发生的事A fall in interest rates is a strong probability in the present economic climate. 在目前的经济形势下,降低利率大有可能。🔊🔊It now seems a probability rather than just a possibility. 这件事似乎十拿九稳,而不是仅有可能。🔊🔊 [countable, uncountable] (mathematics 数学) a ratio showing the chances that a particular thing will happen 概率;几率;或然率There is a 60% probability that the population will be infected with the disease. 民众感染这种疾病的概率为 60%。🔊🔊in ˌall probaˈbility…it is very likely that 很可能In all probability he failed to understand the consequences of his actions. 他很可能未了解到行动的后果。🔊🔊(on) the balance of ˈevidence/probaˈbility(formal)(considering) the evidence on both sides of an argument, to find the most likely reason for or result of sth (从)总的来说;(考虑)正反两方面;权衡双方证据