unlikely
gb/ʌnlˈaɪkli/ us/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
B1
Kiingereza
~ 1700
nem valószínű, valószínűtlen, szokatlan, nem tipikus
B1
1
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] is unlikely [to do something]
It’s unlikely that we’ll finish the project on time.
Nem valószínű, hogy határidőre befejezzük a projektet.
She’s an unlikely candidate for the job given her lack of experience.
Tapasztalatlansága miatt nem tűnik esélyes jelöltnek az állásra.
Rain is unlikely tomorrow according to the forecast.
The team’s victory seemed unlikely after their poor start.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
It is unlikely that it will rain today.
Nem valószínű, hogy ma esni fog.
He is unlikely to come to the party.
Nem valószínű, hogy eljön a partira.
It is unlikely we will win the game.
She is unlikely to call tonight.
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unlikely' with 'impossible'; 'unlikely' means it could happen, but probably won't.
Maana
Not likely to happen
Miunganiko ya maneno
highly unlikely
|seems unlikely
|considered unlikely
|extremely unlikely
Visawe
improbable (Slightly more formal; often used in written or academic contexts.)
Vinyume
likely (Indicates a high chance of something happening, opposite of 'unlikely'.)
Mada
probability
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Ufafanuzi
Probably will not happen or is not true.
Not having a high chance of occurring or being true.
B2
2
Muundo wa matumizi:
an unlikely [choice/candidate/hero/etc.]
He was an unlikely hero, but he saved the day.
Nem tipikus hős volt, de végül megmentette a helyzetet.
The small town was an unlikely setting for such a big event.
A kisváros szokatlan helyszín volt egy ilyen nagy eseményhez.
She proved to be an unlikely friend in my time of need.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
He is an unlikely leader.
Ő nem tipikus vezető.
This is an unlikely place for a party.
Ez szokatlan hely egy bulihoz.
She is an unlikely friend for him.
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this sense with probability; here it refers to suitability or expectedness, not chance.
Maana
Unexpected or unsuitable choice
Miunganiko ya maneno
unlikely hero
|unlikely setting
|unlikely pair
Visawe
unexpected (Focuses more on the element of surprise rather than suitability.)
Vinyume
expected (Something that fits what people think will happen or be chosen.)
Mada
appearance
|character
|core_vocabulary
Ufafanuzi
Not the type of person or thing you would expect for something.
Not seeming appropriate, natural, or expected in a particular context.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
unlikely
IPA
GB/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
US/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
Silabi na mkazo
un - likely (silabi 2)
Stress on 2nd syllable (likely)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: unlikely
- Comparative: unlikelier
- Superlative: unlikeliest
Familia ya neno
Forms
unlikelier
adjective
unlikeliest
adjective
Core family
likely
adjective B1
likelihood
noun B2
Semi
an unlikely story
1/ən ʌnlˈaɪkli stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
A story that seems untrue
A story that sounds like it is not true.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- It’s not unlikely that prices will rise soon.
- Given the weather, it’s not unlikely that the match will be canceled.