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

But unlike with a typical home-equity loan, they don’t make payments each month.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

But unlike Amazon, which sells goods directly alongside its marketplace business, Wildberries and Ozon act almost entirely as marketplaces, connecting independent sellers with buyers across Russia, storing and delivering their goods and handling payments.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

But unlike Rome and Florence, many of its major attractions are nearly crowd-free, and smartphones will help you to find your way into and out of even the most cramped caruggi.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

But there is one crucial difference -- it breaks down completely within nine months unlike traditional balloons, Cumming said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026

Perhaps it was a way of imagining her close by, for unlike the Babushkawoos’, their nursery was equipped with an actual globe, and they understood all too well how very far away she was.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood