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unlike

[ uhn-lahyk ]
/ ʌnˈlaɪk /
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adjective
different, dissimilar, or unequal; not alike: They contributed unlike sums to charity.
preposition
dissimilar to; different from: She is unlike my sister in many ways.
not typical or characteristic of: It is unlike her to enjoy herself so much.
noun
a person or thing differing from another or others.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of unlike

First recorded in 1150–1200, unlike is from the Middle English word unlik.See un-1, like1

OTHER WORDS FROM unlike

un·like·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unlike in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unlike

unlike
/ (ʌnˈlaɪk) /

adjective
not alike; dissimilar or unequal; different
archaic unlikely
preposition
not like; not typical ofunlike his father, he lacks intelligence

Derived forms of unlike

unlikeness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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