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

But I don’t know, it’s probably not unlike the drastic change that another kid at 18 would have going to college,” Rodrigo said in December 2021.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

But unlike those other military objectives, experts said that securing Iran's enriched uranium could not be done without using ground forces.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

"This is certainly an outburst unlike any other we have seen in the past 50 years," said Eliza Neights, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

And unlike last season, when their program’s Final Four debut ended in a 85-51 national semifinal blowout loss to eventual champion Connecticut, they’re ready for what comes next.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

No, the face in the mirror was older than his and just enough unlike it.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny