unlike
gb/ʌnlˈaɪk/ us/ʌnlˈaɪk/
A2
English
~ 2700
ellentétben, eltérően, nem jellemző, szokatlan
A2
1
ellentétben
B1
eltérően
B2
Usage pattern:
unlike [something/someone], [clause]
Unlike his brother, Tom is very outgoing.
A bátyjával ellentétben Tom nagyon társaságkedvelő.
Unlike most cities, this one has no traffic lights.
A legtöbb várossal ellentétben ebben nincsenek közlekedési lámpák.
The weather here is unlike anywhere else I've been.
Unlike many politicians, she kept her promises.
Learner examples
Unlike my sister, I like sports.
A nővéremmel ellentétben én szeretem a sportot.
Unlike cats, dogs need more attention.
A macskákkal ellentétben a kutyáknak több figyelemre van szükségük.
Unlike yesterday, today is sunny.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unlike' with 'dislike'. 'Unlike' shows difference, while 'dislike' means not to like something.
Meaning
different from someone or something
Collocations
unlike other people
|unlike anything else
|unlike before
|unlike her brother
Synonyms
different from (More direct and explicit, less stylistically concise than 'unlike'.)
Antonyms
like (Indicates similarity rather than difference.)
Themes
comparison
|description
|contrast
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show that one person or thing is not like another.
Used to say that someone or something is different from another person or thing.
B1
2
nem jellemző
B1
szokatlan
B1
Usage pattern:
It is unlike [someone] to [verb]
It's unlike John to be late.
Johnra nem jellemző, hogy elkéssen.
Her reaction was unlike anything I'd seen before.
A reakciója semmihez sem hasonlított, amit korábban láttam.
That decision was quite unlike the company.
Learner examples
It is unlike her to be angry.
Nem jellemző rá, hogy mérges legyen.
It is unlike him to forget my birthday.
Nem jellemző rá, hogy elfelejtse a születésnapomat.
This is unlike the usual food here.
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'not like' instead of 'unlike' in formal writing. 'Unlike' is more concise and idiomatic.
Meaning
not typical of someone or something
Collocations
very unlike him
|quite unlike her
|so unlike them
Synonyms
uncharacteristic (More formal and often used in professional or literary contexts.)
Antonyms
typical (Describes something that is normal or expected for someone or something.)
Themes
personality
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not normal for a person or thing.
Not characteristic of a particular person or thing; unusual for them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unlike
IPA
GB/ʌnlˈaɪk/
US/ʌnlˈaɪk/
Syllables & stress
un - like (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (like)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unlike
Word family
Expressions
not unlike
1/nˈɑt ʌnlˈaɪk/
fixed phrase
somewhat similar to
Used to say that something is similar to something else, often in a slightly formal way.
Examples
- The texture is not unlike that of rubber.
- Her voice was not unlike her mother's.