unlike

Meanings

1. 1preposition

   Different from another person or thing; in contrast to.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun or pronoun: Unlike me, she enjoys sports.

   Patterns

   • unlike someone/something
   • Unlike + noun, ...
   • be unlike something

   Unlike her sister, Maria loves spicy food.

   The climate here is unlike anything I have experienced before.

   Unlike most people, he prefers to work at night.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableformal

   Not similar to something else; different in nature or quality.

   Grammar: Used after a verb or before a noun, but not with more or most.

   Patterns

   • be unlike something
   • unlike + noun

   The two paintings are completely unlike.

   His style is unlike that of any other writer.

   The twins are unlike in personality.

Common combinations

unlike me

Unlike me, my brother gets up early every day.

unlike anything

The view was unlike anything I had ever seen.

unlike most people

Unlike most people, she never drinks coffee.

be unlike

The two brothers are quite unlike.

unlike in

Unlike in Japan, tipping is common in the US.

Synonyms and how they differ

different from

Different from is more common in everyday speech and can stand alone: This is different from that.

in contrast to

In contrast to is more formal and often introduces a whole clause or situation.

dissimilar

Dissimilar is a formal adjective meaning not alike, but it is not used as a preposition.

Opposites

Word family

unlikely adjective

Not probable; not expected to happen.

likeness noun

The state of being similar, or a picture of someone.

Commonly confused: unlike or dislike? unlike or unlikely?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “unlike”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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