unlikely

[ uhn-lahyk-lee ]
/ ʌnˈlaɪk li /

adjective, un·like·li·er, un·like·li·est.

not likely to be or occur; improbable; marked by doubt.
holding little prospect of success; unpromising; likely to fail: He is an unlikely candidate for reelection.
not ingratiating; objectionable.

adverb

in an unlikely way.

Origin of unlikely

First recorded in 1325–75, unlikely is from the Middle English word unlikli. See un-1, likely

OTHER WORDS FROM unlikely

un·like·li·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for unlikely

British Dictionary definitions for unlikely

unlikely
/ (ʌnˈlaɪklɪ) /

adjective

not likely; improbable

Derived forms of unlikely

unlikeliness or unlikelihood, noun

Idioms and Phrases with unlikely

unlikely

see in the unlikely event.