ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unlike

prep. · adj. · v. · n.
US //ənˈɫaɪk// UK //ʌnlˈaɪk// un·like
  1. 1 in contrast to (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    different from another person or thing.

    used to highlight a contrast between the subject and another entity.

    Example

    Unlike her sister, who loves the city, Sarah prefers living in the countryside.

    Example

    Unlike the previous administration, which prioritised short-term growth, the current cabinet has focused on long-term environmental sustainability.
    • in contrast to
    • different from
  2. 2 not typical of someone (prep.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not typical of a person's usual character or behaviour.

    indicates that a specific behaviour is uncharacteristic of the individual in question.

    Example

    It was unlike him to be late for such an important meeting.

    Example

    It is quite unlike the CEO to remain silent during a crisis, leading many to suspect she was unaware of the situation.
    • uncharacteristic of
    • typical of
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 not similar (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not looking or acting the same as something else.

    dissimilar in nature, quality, or appearance.

    Example

    The two brothers have very unlike personalities despite their similar looks.

    Example

    The researchers found that the two chemical compounds reacted in completely unlike ways when exposed to high temperatures.
  2. 4 social media action (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    to remove a 'like' you previously gave to a post on social media.

    to retract a previous 'like' interaction on a digital platform.

    Example

    I accidentally liked my ex's photo, so I had to quickly unlike it.

    Example

    Users often unlike pages when the content becomes repetitive or no longer aligns with their personal interests.
  3. 5 the act of unliking (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Computing

    the act of removing a 'like' from a social media post.

    the specific instance or action of withdrawing a digital 'like'.

    Example

    The celebrity noticed a sudden wave of unlikes after his controversial comment.

    Example

    The marketing team tracked the number of unlikes to determine which advertising campaigns were alienating their core audience.
Etymology 1

From Middle English unlic, unlich, from Old English unlīċ, unġelīċ (“unlike, different, dissimilar, diverse”), from Proto-Germanic *ungalīkaz. By surface analysis, un- + like. Cognate with Dutch ongelijk, German ungleich, Old Norse úlíkr (see there for North Germanic descendants).

Etymology 2

From Middle English unliken, unlyken, equivalent to un- + like.

© 2026 English Reference