unlike

American  

[uhn-lahyk] / ʌnˈlaɪk /

adjective

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

   They contributed unlike sums to charity.

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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

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preposition

1. not like; not typical of

   unlike his father, he lacks intelligence

Other Word Forms

• unlikeness
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of unlike

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unlike

Early dolls were crafted from bone and ivory, not unlike Eve from Adam’s rib.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026

Critically, unlike bribery as traditionally defined in the criminal law, the prohibition on emoluments is not conditional on any corrupt bargain by the public official.

From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2026

Crypto has become an increasingly popular way of investing and transferring money online, partly because, unlike traditional currencies, it is not controlled by central banks or governments.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

But unlike the most well-known version of that character, portrayed by Piper Laurie in Brian DePalma’s 1976 adaptation, Margaret is not a melodramatic, over-the-top, completely irrational zealot.

From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026

It was a beautiful sound, music unlike any in the world.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

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