Word
unlikely
Phoneticsun·like·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈɫaɪkɫi/
UK/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
Definitions
01improbable
B1 · Intermediate
adj. not likely to happen or be true.
adj. not likely to occur, exist, or be true; having a low probability.
Español:improbable
“It is unlikely that the weather will improve before the weekend.”
“Given the current economic climate, it seems highly unlikely that the central bank will consider lowering interest rates before the next quarter.”
Usage
Often used in the pattern 'it is unlikely that' or 'subject + is unlikely to'.
Pitfall
It is unlikely for him to come.
It is unlikely that he will come.
While 'unlikely to' is common with a person as the subject, when using 'it is unlikely', follow it with a 'that' clause rather than a 'for...to' construction.
Synonyms
02unpromising
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not looking like it will be successful.
adj. not holding out a prospect of success; unpromising or unlikely to result in a positive outcome.
“The team made an unlikely start to the season but eventually won the cup.”
“Despite such an unlikely beginning in a cramped basement office, the startup eventually transformed into a global market leader.”
Teaching tip
In this sense, the word often describes a person or situation that succeeds despite having poor initial prospects.
Synonyms
03improbably
C2 · Proficiency Formal
adv. in a way that is not likely.
adv. in an improbable or unlikely manner.
“The story ended quite unlikely, with everyone becoming friends.”
“The events unfolded most unlikely, defying the predictions of every political analyst in the country.”
Usage
Rarely used as an adverb in modern English; 'improbably' is much more common.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04an improbable thing
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary
n. a person or thing that is not expected to succeed or happen.
n. an entity, person, or event considered to have a low probability of occurrence or success.
“He was an unlikely among the candidates for the promotion.”
“In the realm of professional sports, she remained the ultimate unlikely, a player whose physical stature suggested she could never compete at the highest level.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unlikely” in context.
Verb
01. remain unlikely
“Significant tax cuts remain unlikely in the current economic climate.”
verb + adj
02. render unlikely
“The lack of funding rendered a second season unlikely.”
verb + adj
03. seem unlikely
“A total recovery seemed unlikely at first, but he surprised the doctors.”
verb + adj
04. unlikely to happen
“A repeat of last year's success is unlikely to happen.”
adj + inf
Adjective
05. extremely unlikely
“It seems extremely unlikely that they will change their minds now.”
adv + adj
06. highly unlikely
“It is highly unlikely that the flight will arrive on time given the storm.”
adv + adj
07. increasingly unlikely
“It is becoming increasingly unlikely that the project will finish by Friday.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. unlikely alliance
“The two rival companies formed an unlikely alliance to fight the new law.”
adj + noun
09. unlikely candidate
“He was an unlikely candidate for the job, but he performed brilliantly.”
adj + noun
10. find it unlikely that
“I find it unlikely that she forgot the meeting on purpose.”
11. in the unlikely event of
“In the unlikely event of an emergency, please use the nearest exit.”
12. it is most unlikely that
“It is most unlikely that we will see another solar eclipse this year.”
Confusables
Unlike compares two different things, while unlikely describes a low probability.
RememberUnlike = Different. Unlikely = Probably not.
Etymology
From Middle English unlykely, unlikly, unlykly, unlicli, equivalent to un- + likely.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unlikely
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0