unlike

American  

[uhn-lahyk] / ʌnˈlaɪk /

adjective

1. different, dissimilar, or unequal; not alike.

   They contributed unlike sums to charity.

---

preposition

1. dissimilar to; different from.

   She is unlike my sister in many ways.

2. not typical or characteristic of.

   It is unlike her to enjoy herself so much.

noun

1. a person or thing differing from another or others.

unlike British  

/ ʌnˈlaɪk /

adjective

1. not alike; dissimilar or unequal; different

2. archaic unlikely

---

preposition

1. not like; not typical of

   unlike his father, he lacks intelligence

Other Word Forms

• unlikeness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of unlike

First recorded in 1150–1200, unlike is from the Middle English word unlik. See un- ¹, like ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unlike

Each of the tattoos varies in style, not unlike the distinct personalities in the book’s fictional MFA cohort.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

Osborne also said she is treated as "one of the lads" in the weighing room, and has never experienced sexism and misogyny unlike other female jockeys, including Bryony Frost.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

When the team illuminated the structures with laser light, they observed diffraction effects unlike those seen in conventional quasicrystals.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

There’s no delayed retirement credit for waiting past age 67 to claim a spousal benefit, unlike for a person’s own benefit, which increases by 8% per year until age 70.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Before anyone could explain, a howl unlike any that had so far been heard that day echoed throughout the house.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood