improbableim‧prob‧a‧ble /ɪmˈprɒbəbəl $ -ˈprɑː-/ adjective 
a film with an improbable plot It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair.2surprising and slightly strange SYN unlikely: improbable combinations of colours—improbably adverb—improbability /ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti $ -ˌprɑː-/ noun [countable, uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Carter claims he paid $4000 for the papers, which seems highly improbable.
- It's improbable that she would have been so successful without famous parents.
- It's highly improbable that someone would win the lottery twice.
- It seems improbable that America's allies will oppose the proposed arms reduction.
- The ladies were dressed in improbable combinations of colors.
- The new pay agreement makes further industrial action by the union highly improbable.
- The Rockets managed an improbable victory in last night's game.
- Alas, his selection would require an improbable U-turn on the part of the Sassenach segment of the selectors.
- An improbable event is one that happens only in one or a few possible worlds.
- Given the unhealthy level of policy agreement between Labor and the Liberals that we have now, such cooperation is most improbable.
- It has deeply divided mid-green leaves that flare to wild, improbable scarlet.
- Nevertheless, the Foxton project was mysteriously improbable even if there had been no internal combustion on the way.
- Perhaps it is no more improbable than anything else that may happen by chance in this universe.
- Therefore the existence of a universe as stable as this is highly improbable.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something seems very unlikely to be true
difficult or impossible to believe: · The things he had heard about her were almost unbelievable.it is unbelievable how/that: · It's unbelievable how nasty people can be.· I find it unbelievable that Mr. Carey does not remember the meeting at all.
a story, explanation, or excuse that is unlikely cannot be believed because it is so unusual: · That sounds a pretty unlikely story to me!· Students invent all sorts of unlikely explanations as to why they can't do their homework.it is unlikely (that): · I think it's unlikely that the police had anything to do with it.highly unlikely: · It's highly unlikely that Burton will be the party's nominee.
a statement or event that is improbable is difficult to believe, even though it may in fact be true or may actually have happened: · The Rockets managed an improbable victory in last night's game.it is improbable that: · It's improbable that she would have been so successful without famous parents.highly improbable: · It's highly improbable that someone would win the lottery twice.
a statement or explanation that is implausible is difficult to believe because it is not like the way things usually happen: · Jill says she can earn $50,000 from the job, but this is an implausible figure.· The idea that a virus could wipe out an entire city so quickly seems a little implausible.
something that is incredible is so surprising or strange that it is difficult to believe, even though it is probably true: · This factory was capable of producing an incredible 100 cars per hour.it is incredible that: · It is incredible that the police still haven't caught him.
something that is inconceivable is so surprising or strange that it seems you cannot believe that it could possibly happen or be true: · The amount of time and money they have wasted on the project is inconceivable.it is inconceivable that: · It's inconceivable that university officials would fire someone as talented and loyal as Professor Schultz.
ideas, statements, and excuses that are unconvincing do not seem to be true or right and you cannot be persuaded to believe that they are: · Peter came to me with a rather unconvincing apology.· Their denial was unconvincing in view of the physical evidence linking them to the bombing.
an idea, story, or explanation that is far-fetched is difficult to believe because it sounds so surprising, unusual, or impossible: · The idea of travelling to other solar systems may sound far-fetched but scientists now see it as a real possibility.· His lawyers argue that the charges are based on a far-fetched conspiracy theory.
formal an idea, story, or explanation that is preposterous is impossible to believe because it sounds completely unreasonable: · It's a preposterous claim that the government is trying to poison its citizens.it is preposterous that: · It is preposterous that Bruce did not know that we were there.
an excuse or explanation that is lame is difficult to believe, because the person who says it has not tried hard enough to make it sound true: · She's always got some lame excuse for being late.· It sounded lame but I really had lost my ticket.
possible but not likely something that is unlikely will probably not happen or is probably not true: · She might come with us, but it's fairly unlikely.unlikely to do something: · A small amount of the drug is unlikely to have any harmful effects.it is unlikely (that): · It is unlikely that anyone saw the attack.
formal unlikely to happen or unlikely to be true: highly improbable: · Carter claims he paid $4000 for the papers, which seems highly improbable.· The new pay agreement makes further industrial action by the union highly improbable.it is/seems improbable that: · It seems improbable that America's allies will oppose the proposed arms reduction.
very unlikely to be true or very unlikely to happen: · "Is Maddy coming tonight?" "It's looking doubtful - she was really sick."it is doubtful that: · It's doubtful that we'll finish this tonight.
extremely unlikely to happen: · The chances of such an accident happening again are very remote.· There is only a remote prospect of peace in the region.· There is a remote possibility the program could be halted, if funding were cut.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair. It’s highly unlikely that the project will be finished on time.· The fact that highly improbable circumstances could result in significant upside potential should not affect the presentation.· Indeed, it makes such an occurrence very highly improbable.· This would be a highly improbable conclusion.· Therefore the existence of a universe as stable as this is highly improbable.· It is therefore highly improbable if not impossible that recent damage to a roof would have caused rot in underlying timbers.· But it is still highly improbable, a fluke of nature, not a predictable outcome.· Frankly, this seems highly improbable.· It is all truly amazing, and highly improbable, given all the ways the system could break down.
· What is more improbable is that the Genetic Supermarket, with its emphasis upon individual choice, will bring this possibility nearer.· Perhaps it is no more improbable than anything else that may happen by chance in this universe.· They would simply be judged very improbable, the waving statue much more improbable than the lightning.· What is the force driving matter into ever more complicated, ever more improbable forms?
· Given the unhealthy level of policy agreement between Labor and the Liberals that we have now, such cooperation is most improbable.· This all-embracing assumption is most improbable but it is justifiable since it never lets us down.· It was the most improbable of finals.· This account of events certainly fitted the circumstantial evidence, but was seen by the jury as most improbable.· Most of all, Mr Winchester writes in a way guaranteed to lure the reader on to the most improbable journeys.
· However, Dawkins suggests that, given enough time, even very improbable things might happen, and that is that.· They would simply be judged very improbable, the waving statue much more improbable than the lightning.· Either we assume that the whole universe is at the present moment in a very improbable state.· This is also very improbable because everybody knows slugs stick and probably would not fall.· At first sight this might seem very improbable, because such smooth regions would be heavily outnumbered by chaotic and irregular regions.
NOUN· In a phenomenologically complex universe, extremely improbable events are certain to happen.· An improbable event is one that happens only in one or a few possible worlds.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- But even if this conclusion is not justified, we can say that infallible beliefs must have vanishingly small content.
- For just the same reason, it is vanishingly improbable that exactly the same evolutionary pathway should ever be travelled twice.
- If the object is very distant, linear magnification becomes vanishingly small.
- It would need a gigantic and vanishingly improbable leap across genetic hyperspace.
- On average, the chances of weediness emerging by accident are vanishingly small.
- Statistically, however, the chance of avoiding synonyms altogether is vanishingly small.
WORD FAMILYnounprobabilityprobableadjectiveprobable ≠ improbableadverbprobably ≠ improbably
1not likely to happen or to be true SYN unlikely OPP probable: a film with an improbable plot It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair.2surprising and slightly strange SYN unlikely: improbable combinations of colours—improbably adverb—improbability /ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti $ -ˌprɑː-/ noun [countable, uncountable]- John, King
- John Lewis
- Johnnie Walker
- johnny
- Johnny-on-the-spot
- John of Gaunt
- John o’ Groats
- John Paul I
- John Paul II, Pope
- John, Saint
- Johns, Jasper
- Johnson, Amy
- Johnson, Andrew
- Johnson, Boris
- Johnson, Jack
- Johnson & Johnson
- Johnson, Lyndon B.
- Johnson, Magic
- Johnson, Samuel
- Johnson, Virginia Eshelman
- John the Baptist, Saint
- John XXIII
- joie de vivre
- join
- joined-up