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

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

He wants to be sure he makes the right decision because, unlike the last time he stepped away from F1 in 2018, there will be no coming back this time when he leaves.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

This is particularly true since, unlike most of the countries ranked by the OECD, the student body in major American school districts is overwhelmingly low-income and heavily immigrant.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

Discovery could easily clear regulatory hurdles — unlike Netflix’s competing bid.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

And for riders, the experience of navigating a sea of screaming fans that parts only at the last possible instant is unlike anything encountered by other athletes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

“And unlike you, I can leave whenever I wish.”

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny