unlikely

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Probably not going to happen or be true.

   Grammar: Used after be with to: it is unlikely to rain.

   Patterns

   • unlikely to do something
   • it is unlikely that something

   It is unlikely that the bus will arrive on time.

   She is unlikely to change her mind.

   Snow is highly unlikely in July.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Surprising because it does not seem to fit, often in a pairing of people or things.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: an unlikely hero.

   Patterns

   • an unlikely hero
   • an unlikely friendship

   The shy boy became an unlikely hero of the team.

   They formed an unlikely friendship at the care home.

   The old tractor was an unlikely winner of the race.

Word forms

Common combinations

highly unlikely

It is highly unlikely that he will resign.

unlikely to happen

A storm is unlikely to happen this week.

unlikely hero

The cleaner became the unlikely hero of the day.

seem unlikely

That outcome seems unlikely to me.

unlikely story

His excuse is a very unlikely story.

unlikely friendship

The cat and the owl made an unlikely friendship.

Synonyms and how they differ

improbable

Improbable is more formal and suggests low probability, while unlikely is the everyday word.

doubtful

Doubtful focuses on the speaker's uncertainty, whereas unlikely reports low chances.

far-fetched

Far-fetched means so strained it is hard to believe, which is stronger than unlikely.

Opposites

Word family

likely adjective

probable

likelihood noun

chance of something happening

unlikelihood noun

the quality of being improbable

unlikeliness noun

the state of being unlikely

Commonly confused: unlikely or unlike?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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