Unlikely: meaning, definitions and examples

🤷
Add to dictionary

unlikely

 

[ ʌnˈlaɪkli ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in a doubtful or uncertain manner

Not likely to happen or be true; improbable.

Synonyms

doubtful, improbable, questionable, uncertain

Examples of usage

  • It is highly unlikely that he will change his mind.
  • An unlikely explanation for the missing money.
  • She thought it was unlikely that he would call.
  • It seems unlikely that she would lie about such a thing.
  • The team faces an unlikely victory in the next match.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a way that is not typical or expected

Not seeming to merit consideration or notice; inconsequential.

Synonyms

inconsequential, insignificant, irrelevant, negligible, unimportant

Examples of usage

  • She thought it was unlikely that he would remember her.
  • It is unlikely that she will be able to attend the meeting.

Translations

Translations of the word "unlikely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 improvável

🇮🇳 असंभव

🇩🇪 unwahrscheinlich

🇮🇩 tidak mungkin

🇺🇦 малоймовірний

🇵🇱 mało prawdopodobny

🇯🇵 ありそうもない

🇫🇷 improbable

🇪🇸 improbable

🇹🇷 olası değil

🇰🇷 있을 것 같지 않은

🇸🇦 غير محتمل

🇨🇿 nepravděpodobný

🇸🇰 nepravdepodobný

🇨🇳 不太可能

🇸🇮 neverjetno

🇮🇸 ólíklegt

🇰🇿 мүмкін емес

🇬🇪 ცოტნად მოსალოდნელი

🇦🇿 ehtimalı az

🇲🇽 improbable

Etymology

The word 'unlikely' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'likely', which derives from the Old English 'gelic' meaning 'similar'. Over time, 'unlikely' has come to be used to describe situations or events that are not probable or expected.

See also: likelihoods, unlikelihood.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,883, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.