- 1not likely to happen unlikely (to do something) The project seemed unlikely to succeed. unlikely (that…) It's most (= very) unlikely that she'll arrive before seven. In the unlikely event of a problem arising, please contact the hotel manager.
- 2[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.
- 3[only before noun] difficult to believe synonym implausible She gave me an unlikely explanation for her behavior. opposite likely
adjective jump to other results
NAmE//ʌnˈlaɪkli//
(unlikelier, unlikeliest) more unlikely and most unlikely are the usual formsNAmE//ʌnˈlaɪkliˌhʊd//
(also unlikeliness ) noun [uncountable]See unlikely in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: unlikely