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

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned on Thursday that Greece -- which had been relatively spared from heat waves and major fires earlier this summer, unlike France and Spain -- was headed for "difficult days".

From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026

While the AFC opposes Infantino's plan, unlike Uefa it has not threatened to boycott Fifa competitions.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Today’s logistics challenges are unlike anything Apple has experienced before.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

But unlike my friend, I don’t have a boss who insisted that I do so.

From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2026

The Mona Lisa, unlike other paintings in the Louvre, got mail.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day