unlikely

[uhn-lahyk-lee]

See more synonyms for unlikely on Thesaurus.com

adjective, un·like·li·er, un·like·li·est.

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

in an unlikely way.

Origin of unlikely

First recorded in 1325–75, unlikely is from the Middle English word unlikli. See un-¹, likely

Related formsun·like·li·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unlikely

Contemporary Examples

Harris is unlikely to see a challenge from Villaraigosa, either.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races
David Freedlander
January 9, 2015
We tend to think not, but the rise of King, Kennedy, and Lincoln was unlikely, too.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters
James Poulos
January 1, 2015
It was clear to me that I was unlikely ever to see it again.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler
John Henry Crosby
December 26, 2014
But these were technical solutions and unlikely to inspire protests alone.
Sharpton Recalls Civil Rights Struggle in DC March Against Police Violence
Ben Jacobs
December 13, 2014
The demonic ‘anti-Santa’ enjoys an unlikely renaissance as we learn to embrace our inner pagan.
Meet Krampus, the Seriously Bad Santa
Jay Michaelson
December 5, 2014

Historical Examples

The arrangements your father has made is one of provision against the unlikely.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
Such a proceeding was not unlikely; it was not, however, the one she adopted.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox
Diligent enquiry there, in likely and unlikely places, proved fruitless.
The Inn at the Red Oak
Latta Griswold
At this time he is not unlikely to eat our sprouting lettuce and peas.
The Meaning of Evolution
Samuel Christian Schmucker
Of course there was a chance that he might encounter the latter, but he thought it unlikely.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for unlikely

unlikely

adjective

not likely; improbable

Derived Formsunlikeliness or unlikelihood, 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

Word Origin and History for unlikely

adj.

late 14c., "not likely to occur," from un- (1) + likely. Cf. Old Norse ulikligr, Middle Danish uligelig. Meaning "not likely to be true" is recorded from 1590s.

Idioms and Phrases with unlikely

unlikely

see in the unlikely event.

unlikely

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}unlikely

Related Words

Examples from the Web for unlikely

Contemporary Examples

Harris is unlikely to see a challenge from Villaraigosa, either.

We tend to think not, but the rise of King, Kennedy, and Lincoln was unlikely, too.

It was clear to me that I was unlikely ever to see it again.

But these were technical solutions and unlikely to inspire protests alone.

The demonic ‘anti-Santa’ enjoys an unlikely renaissance as we learn to embrace our inner pagan.

Historical Examples

The arrangements your father has made is one of provision against the unlikely.

Such a proceeding was not unlikely; it was not, however, the one she adopted.

Diligent enquiry there, in likely and unlikely places, proved fruitless.

At this time he is not unlikely to eat our sprouting lettuce and peas.

Of course there was a chance that he might encounter the latter, but he thought it unlikely.

unlikely

Word Origin and History for unlikely

adj.

Idioms and Phrases with unlikely

unlikely

Origin of unlikely