unlikely
gb/ʌnlˈaɪkli/ us/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
B1
Inglese
~ 1700
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B1
property
1
Not likely to happen
Probably will not happen or is not true.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is unlikely [to do something]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unlikely' with 'impossible'; 'unlikely' means it could happen, but probably won't.
Sinonimi
improbable (Slightly more formal; often used in written or academic contexts.)
Contrari
likely (Indicates a high chance of something happening, opposite of 'unlikely'.)
Collocazioni
highly unlikely
|seems unlikely
|considered unlikely
|extremely unlikely
Temi
probability
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- It’s unlikely that we’ll finish the project on time.
- She’s an unlikely candidate for the job given her lack of experience.
- Rain is unlikely tomorrow according to the forecast.
- The team’s victory seemed unlikely after their poor start.
Esempi per chi studia
- It is unlikely that it will rain today.
- He is unlikely to come to the party.
- It is unlikely we will win the game.
- She is unlikely to call tonight.
adjective
B2
property
2
Unexpected or unsuitable choice
Not the type of person or thing you would expect for something.
Schema d'uso:
an unlikely [choice/candidate/hero/etc.]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse this sense with probability; here it refers to suitability or expectedness, not chance.
Sinonimi
unexpected (Focuses more on the element of surprise rather than suitability.)
Contrari
expected (Something that fits what people think will happen or be chosen.)
Collocazioni
unlikely hero
|unlikely setting
|unlikely pair
Temi
appearance
|character
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- He was an unlikely hero, but he saved the day.
- The small town was an unlikely setting for such a big event.
- She proved to be an unlikely friend in my time of need.
Esempi per chi studia
- He is an unlikely leader.
- This is an unlikely place for a party.
- She is an unlikely friend for him.
Grammatica
Forma base
unlikely
IPA
GB/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
US/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
Sillabe e accento
un - likely (2 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (likely)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: unlikely
- Comparative: unlikelier
- Superlative: unlikeliest
Famiglia di parole
Forms
unlikelier
adjective
unlikeliest
adjective
Core family
likely
adjective B1
likelihood
noun B2
Espressioni
an unlikely story
1/ən ʌnlˈaɪkli stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
A story that seems untrue
A story that sounds like it is not true.
Esempi
- He told me an unlikely story about meeting the president by accident.
- That’s an unlikely story—I don’t believe it happened.
make it unlikely
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt ʌnlˈaɪkli/
fixed phrase
Cause low probability
To cause something to probably not happen.
Esempi
- The injury will make it unlikely for him to play again this season.
- Bad weather could make it unlikely that the flight will leave on time.
not unlikely
1/nˈɑt ʌnlˈaɪkli/
fixed phrase
Quite possible or probable
Has a fair chance of happening; possible.
Esempi
- It’s not unlikely that prices will rise soon.
- Given the weather, it’s not unlikely that the match will be canceled.