ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unlikely

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ənˈɫaɪkɫi// UK //ʌnlˈaɪkli// un·like·ly General-service

adj. not expected to happen or probably not true.

adj. improbable or not likely to occur; lacking a high probability of truth or success.


SIMPLE

It is unlikely that it will rain today.

CONTEXTUAL

The team made a great effort, but a victory seemed unlikely given the score at halftime.

COMPLEX

Despite the unlikely circumstances of their meeting, the two scientists discovered they shared a common interest in rare botanical illustrations from the eighteenth century.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English unlykely, unlikly, unlykly, unlicli, equivalent to un- + likely.

Usage

Often used with an 'it' subject followed by a 'that' clause, or with a 'to' infinitive.

Pitfall

It is unlikely for him to comeIt is unlikely that he will comeWhile 'unlikely to' is correct for people, 'unlikely for' is a common error; use a 'that' clause for impersonal statements.

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