# unlikely

/ənˈɫaɪkɫi/ (US) · /ʌnlˈaɪkli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unlikely
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. improbable

adjective · CEFR B1

not likely to happen or be true.

For teachers: not likely to occur, exist, or be true; having a low probability.

- 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'.

### 2. unpromising

adjective · CEFR B2

not looking like it will be successful.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. improbably

adverb · CEFR C2 · Formal

in a way that is not likely.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. an improbable thing

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a person or thing that is not expected to succeed or happen.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- It is unlikely that it will rain today.
- The team made a great effort, but a victory seemed unlikely given the score at halftime.
- Despite the unlikely circumstances of their meeting, the two scientists discovered they shared a common interest in rare botanical illustrations from the eighteenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.