improbable
gb/ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl/ us/ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl/
B2
English
~ 7500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not likely to happen or be true
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Usage pattern:
it is improbable that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "improbable" with "impossible." "Improbable" means something can happen but is not likely, while "impossible" means it cannot happen at all. Learners may also overuse "improbable" in everyday speech where the more natural choice is "unlikely."
Synonyms
unlikely (Most common everyday alternative; slightly more informal and simpler than "improbable.")
|
doubtful (Suggests low likelihood, often with a sense of personal judgment or skepticism.)
|
remote (Emphasizes that the chance is very small, often used in more formal or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
probable (Direct opposite in terms of likelihood; describes something that is more likely than not to happen.)
|
likely (Common everyday opposite, suggesting a good chance of happening.)
Collocations
highly improbable
|extremely improbable
|seems improbable
|improbable event
|improbable outcome
|statistically improbable
Themes
probability
|thinking
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It is highly improbable that the meeting will be canceled at this late stage.
- Scientists considered such a rapid change in climate to be extremely improbable.
- The jury found his explanation improbable and ultimately rejected it.
- While a complete system failure is improbable, we still have backup plans.
- Given the current polls, a victory for that candidate seems improbable.
Learner examples
- It is improbable that it will snow in July here.
- Her story sounded improbable to the police.
- A power cut is improbable, but we have candles ready.
- Winning the lottery is very improbable.
- The teacher said it was improbable that the test would be delayed.
adjective
B2
property
2
very surprising or hard to believe
Very surprising or strange, so that it is hard to believe or expect.
Usage pattern:
an improbable [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this sense only refers to mathematical probability. In this use, "improbable" often describes things in stories, films, or real life that feel too strange or surprising to be normal, like "an improbable hero" or "an improbable story."
Synonyms
implausible (Focuses on something not sounding believable or reasonable, especially in explanations or stories.)
|
far-fetched (Informal; suggests something is unrealistically unlikely or stretched beyond what seems reasonable.)
|
unlikely (Common and neutral; here, often used to describe surprising choices of people or things (e.g. "an unlikely hero").)
Antonyms
believable (Direct opposite in terms of how easy something is to accept as true or realistic.)
|
credible (More formal; emphasizes that something can be trusted or accepted as realistic.)
Collocations
improbable story
|improbable hero
|improbable combination
|improbable pairing
|improbable friendship
|improbable setting
Themes
description
|stories
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The film tells the story of an improbable friendship between a boxer and a retired librarian.
- At first, she seemed an improbable choice for leader, but she quickly proved everyone wrong.
- Critics complained that the plot relied on a series of improbable coincidences.
- His rise from street performer to tech millionaire is an improbable journey.
- The novel is full of improbable characters and wildly imaginative scenes.
Learner examples
- He is an improbable hero, but he saves the town.
- The movie has an improbable story, but it is fun to watch.
- They have an improbable friendship, because they are so different.
- The colors in that dress are an improbable combination.
- Her success may seem improbable, but it is real.
Grammar
Dictionary form
improbable
IPA
GB/ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl/
US/ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl/
Syllables & stress
im - prob - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prob)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: improbable
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
improbably
adverb
improbability
noun
Advanced or less common
probabilistic
adjective C1
probabilistically
adverb
Expressions
as improbable as it may seem
1/ˈæz ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl ˈæz ˈɪt mˈeɪ sˈim/
fixed phrase
admitting something sounds unlikely but true
Used before saying something that sounds not likely, to show you know it is surprising but you still say it is true.
Examples
- As improbable as it may seem, they finished the project a week early.
- As improbable as it may seem, the small startup beat all its larger competitors.
- As improbable as it may seem, the two families became very close friends after the trial.
however improbable it may seem
1/hˌaʊˈɛvɚ ɪmpɹˈɑbəbəl ˈɪt mˈeɪ sˈim/
fixed phrase
formal
stressing a point that seems unlikely
Used when you want people to accept or think about something that sounds very unlikely.
Examples
- However improbable it may seem, this solution is supported by the latest research.
- However improbable it may seem, the witness’s story was confirmed by video evidence.