unlikely
gb/ʌnlˈaɪkli/ us/ʌnlˈaɪkli/
B1
Kiingereza
~ 1700
Maana
maana 0
adjective
B1
property
1
Not likely to happen
Probably will not happen or is not true.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] is unlikely [to do something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unlikely' with 'impossible'; 'unlikely' means it could happen, but probably won't.
Visawe
improbable (Slightly more formal; often used in written or academic contexts.)
Vinyume
likely (Indicates a high chance of something happening, opposite of 'unlikely'.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
highly unlikely
|seems unlikely
|considered unlikely
|extremely unlikely
Mada
probability
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Muundo wa matumizi:
an unlikely [choice/candidate/hero/etc.]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this sense with probability; here it refers to suitability or expectedness, not chance.
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.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
unlikely hero
|unlikely setting
|unlikely pair
Mada
appearance
|character
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- He is an unlikely leader.
- This is an unlikely place for a party.
- She is an unlikely friend for him.
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.