Word forms: comparative unlikelier, superlative unlikeliest
adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE, oft ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
If you say that something is unlikely to happen or unlikely to be true, you believe that it will not happen or that it is not true, although you are not completely sure.
A military coup seems unlikely.
As with many technological revolutions, you are unlikely to be aware of it.
It now seems unlikely that future parliaments will bring back the death penalty.
In the unlikely event of anybody phoning, could you just scribble a message down?
Synonyms: improbable, doubtful, remote, slight More Synonyms of unlikely
More Synonyms of unlikely
unlikely in British English
(ʌnˈlaɪklɪ)
adjective
not likely; improbable
Derived forms
unlikeliness (unˈlikeliness) or unlikelihood (unˈlikelihood)
noun
unlikely in American English
(ʌnˈlaɪkli)
adjective
1.
not likely to happen or be true; improbable
2.
not likely to succeed; not promising
adverb
3.
improbably
he may, not unlikely, join us
Derived forms
unlikelihood (unˈlikeliˌhood)
noun or unˈlikeliness
Word origin
ME unlikly, prob. based on ON ūlīkligr
Examples of 'unlikely' in a sentence
unlikely
It is highly unlikely that the island will become habitable for overnight tourists in the near future.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
It is now unlikely to be published until next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The results of the toxicology tests are unlikely to be known for at least two weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is unlikely to end well.
The Sun (2016)
A continuation of that access seems increasingly unlikely.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Together, this unlikely combination has made an imaginative covers album that casts both artists in a new light.
The Sun (2017)
And it is extremely unlikely to happen because of one member's refusal to jump into the time machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If no gentle opener, anything less than a convincing win is unlikely to satisfy Bennett.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Pakistan closed the second day on 310 for six but further rain is forecast, making a positive result unlikely.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But experts said it is unlikely to end the six-year civil war that has already claimed more than 300,000 lives.
The Sun (2016)
You know in your heart that things are unlikely to end well.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The two sides may at first seem an unlikely combination.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It also feels like a wish that is increasingly unlikely to come true.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is highly unlikely that you are one of them.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Their future is unlikely to be pleasant.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are unlikely to know where they can get prey.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This means that you are unlikely to experience many in a single career.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your marriage chart glows and a proposal can happen in an unlikely place.
The Sun (2012)
This treaty now looks unlikely to be fully ratified.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The result was an unlikely triumph plucked from the jaws of national humiliation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The ruling is unlikely to end the row.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In my view that is highly unlikely.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He knows that his future discoveries are unlikely to equal the first.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is intrinsically unlikely that governments know how to encourage couples to marry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are unlikely to be many such cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The second would be highly unlikely to happen now.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is now unlikely to join the fleet until next month.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The result looks unlikely to be close enough to be decided by disputed votes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Sometimes the most unlikely combinations end up in the same studio.
The Sun (2008)
Lawyers are sceptical about the idea arguing that the merger would be very messy and unlikely to bring much benefit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But after a year of trying it seems increasingly unlikely anyone will now take her on as a solo chart star.
The Sun (2010)
More than that and we'd be unlikely to win.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They are such an unlikely combination - but good for him.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In fact, we are unlikely to win either battle unless we win both.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
unlikely
British English: unlikely /ʌnˈlaɪklɪ/ ADJECTIVE
If you say that something is unlikely to happen or unlikelyto be true, you believe that it will not happen or that it is not true, although you are not completely sure.
He is unlikely to arrive before Sunday.
American English: unlikely
Arabic: غَيْرُ مُحْتَمَل
Brazilian Portuguese: improvável
Chinese: 不太可能的
Croatian: malo vjerojatan
Czech: nepravděpodobný
Danish: usandsynlig
Dutch: onwaarschijnlijk
European Spanish: improbable
Finnish: epätodennäköinen
French: improbable
German: unwahrscheinlich
Greek: απίθανος
Italian: improbabile
Japanese: ありそうもない
Korean: 있을 법하지 않은
Norwegian: usannsynlig
Polish: nieprawdopodobny
European Portuguese: improvável
Romanian: improbabil
Russian: маловероятный
Latin American Spanish: improbable
Swedish: osannolik
Thai: ไม่น่าจะเกิดขึ้น
Turkish: olasılık dışı
Ukrainian: малоймовірний
Vietnamese: không chắc sẽ xảy ra
All related terms of 'unlikely'
unlikely source
The source of something is the person, place, or thing which you get it from.
unlikely alliance
An alliance is a group of countries or political parties that are formally united and working together because they have similar aims .
unlikely scenario
If you talk about a likely or possible scenario , you are talking about the way in which a situation may develop.
unlikely setting
A particular setting is a particular place or type of surroundings where something is or takes place.
unlikely friendship
A friendship is a relationship between two or more friends .
unlikely partnership
Partnership or a partnership is a relationship in which two or more people, organizations, or countries work together as partners .