unlikely
adjective/ʌnˈlaɪkli/
/ʌnˈlaɪkli/
(comparative unlikelier, superlative unlikeliest)
more unlikely and most unlikely are the usual forms- not likely to happen; not probable
- unlikely to do something The project seemed unlikely to succeed.
- Of course, such an event is very unlikely to happen.
- it is unlikely (that…) It was highly unlikely that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
- It is extremely unlikely that the new owner would want to make people redundant.
- It looks unlikely that prices will fall.
- It's most (= very) unlikely that she'll arrive before seven.
- Problems with the evidence made it unlikely that he would ever be prosecuted.
- In the unlikely event of a problem arising, please contact the hotel manager.
Express Yourself Expressing likelihoodExpressing likelihoodWhen you are talking about possible situations, you can express how likely you think they are:- It's pretty much inevitable that prices will go up this year.
- I think it's likely to rain this afternoon.
- I’m probably going to be away then.
- I guess there's a fifty per cent chance that they'll say no.
- It's unlikely, but not totally impossible, I suppose.
- They can't possibly be serious about buying a boat!
- It can't really be all that difficult, can it?
- Let's start without them. They're bound to be late.
Extra ExamplesTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1- An economic collapse is inherently unlikely.
- He thought it unlikely that she would refuse.
- an unlikely scenario
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- [only before noun] not the person, thing or place that you would normally think of or expect
- He seems a most unlikely candidate for the job.
- They have built hotels in the most unlikely places.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- [only before noun] difficult to believe synonym implausible
- She gave me an unlikely explanation for her behaviour.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
Check pronunciation:
unlikely