unlikely
uhn-LYK-lee
Unlikely (adjective) means not probable; not expected to happen. Example: “It seems unlikely that they'll finish the project on time.”
adjective
1
Not probable; not expected to happen.
"In the highly unlikely event of landing in water, lifejackets are stored under the seat."
"It is pretty unlikely that you'll win, but I will pray that at least you do well."
"It seems unlikely that they'll finish the project on time."
"An unlikely friendship formed between the two rivals."
"It is unlikely to rain today, so you can leave your umbrella at home."
How to use unlikely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot likely to happen or be true; improbable.
Common pairings
unlikely event
unlikely hero
highly unlikely
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Word forms
- Plural
- unlikelies
- Comparative
- unlikelier, more unlikely
- Superlative
- unlikeliest, most unlikely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It seems _____ that they'll finish the project on time.
Etymology
From Middle English unlikely, from "un-" + "likely."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unlikely
See all rhymes for unlikely →Frequently asked questions
What does “unlikely” mean?
The word “unlikely” means not probable; not expected to happen. In plain terms, not likely to happen or be true; improbable.
How do you pronounce “unlikely”?
“Unlikely” is pronounced uhn-LYK-lee (/ʌnˈlaɪkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “unlikely” in a sentence?
Here is “unlikely” used in a sentence: “It seems unlikely that they'll finish the project on time.”
What part of speech is “unlikely”?
“Unlikely” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unlikely” come from?
The word “unlikely” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unlikely, from "un-" + "likely.".
Is “unlikely” a common word?
“Unlikely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'impossible'?
"Unlikely" means something is not probable but could still happen, while "impossible" means it cannot happen at all. Rain in a desert is unlikely, but water flowing uphill on its own is impossible.
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'improbable'?
Both mean not probable, but "improbable" is slightly more formal and often appears in technical or statistical contexts, while "unlikely" is the everyday choice. In most sentences they are interchangeable, as in "an unlikely outcome" or "an improbable outcome."
What grammar patterns follow 'unlikely'?
"Unlikely" is commonly followed by a "to" infinitive, as in "she is unlikely to agree," or by a "that" clause, as in "it is unlikely that they will come." It can also modify a noun directly, as in "an unlikely hero."
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'unlikable'?
"Unlikely" means not probable, while "unlikable" (also spelled "unlikeable") means hard to like. They look similar but are unrelated, so "an unlikely candidate" is improbable, whereas "an unlikable candidate" is unpleasant.
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