unlikely
Americanadjective
-
not likely to be or occur; improbable; marked by doubt.
-
holding little prospect of success; unpromising; likely to fail.
He is an unlikely candidate for reelection.
-
not ingratiating; objectionable.
adverb
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unlikely
First recorded in 1325–75, unlikely is from the Middle English word unlikli. See un- 1, likely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This week will bring another gut check for data center and chip demand, but a disappointing outlook on that front appears unlikely.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Angrick expects government spending to help the economy avoid a sharp contraction, but significant growth is unlikely this year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Luckily for Bottoms, he’s third in the polls right now, so it’s unlikely he’ll have to make good on this promise.
From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026
Others believe the exchange is unlikely to escalate into a major conflict.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
Then, I realized that after what I’d been through, it was unlikely I’d be in the water anyway, so I imagined myself warning others.
From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
