Improbably: meaning, definitions and examples

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improbably

 

[ ɪmˈprɒbəbli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

unlikely situation

Improbably is used to describe something that is unlikely or not probable to happen. It often emphasizes the unexpected nature of an event or circumstance.

Synonyms

doubtfully, dubiously, questionably, unlikely.

Examples of usage

  • She improbably won the lottery twice.
  • He improbably managed to escape from the locked room.
  • The team improbably secured their spot in the finals.
  • Improbably, it started to snow in July.

Translations

Translations of the word "improbably" in other languages:

🇵🇹 improvável

🇮🇳 असंभावित

🇩🇪 unwahrscheinlich

🇮🇩 tidak mungkin

🇺🇦 малоймовірно

🇵🇱 mało prawdopodobne

🇯🇵 ありえない

🇫🇷 improbable

🇪🇸 improbable

🇹🇷 olası olmayan

🇰🇷 불가능한

🇸🇦 غير محتمل

🇨🇿 nepravděpodobný

🇸🇰 nepravdepodobné

🇨🇳 不太可能

🇸🇮 malo verjetno

🇮🇸 ólíklegt

🇰🇿 мүмкін емес

🇬🇪 არაფრის მომხდობა

🇦🇿 mümkün olmayan

🇲🇽 improbable

Etymology

The term 'improbably' is derived from the adjective 'improbable,' which itself originates from the Latin 'improbabilis,' meaning 'not provable, not to be expected.' The prefix 'im-' is a negation, used to indicate 'not' or 'without,' while 'probabilis' pertains to being able to be proved or expected. The use of 'improbably' emphasizes the unexpected nature of an occurrence, particularly in literature and everyday speech. The formation of the adverbical form typically involves adding '-ly' to adjectives, a standard practice in English morphology. The use of improbability in describing events or situations carries a certain dramatic or ironic weight, marking the contrasts between expectation and reality.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,543, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.