unlikely

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Not likely

   Not likely; improbable; not to be reasonably expected.

   • It is pretty unlikely that you'll win, but I will pray that at least you do well.
   • In the highly unlikely event of landing in water, lifejackets are stored under the seat.
   • Now, I still think that for this box of matches to have escaped the wear of time for immemorial years was a strange, and for me, a most fortunate thing. Yet oddly enough I found here a far more unlikely substance, and that was camphor.
2. 2

   Not holding out a prospect of success

   Not holding out a prospect of success; likely to fail; unpromising.

   • unlikely means
3. 3

   In an improbable manner.

4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Something or somebody considered unlikely.

      • The molecular ion candidates are divided by the testing phase into three categories: rejects, unlikelies, and probables. Differences between each candidate and the prominent peaks in the spectrum are computed.
      • "Here is my every possible phone number, plus a few unlikelies. And I've also put down the numbers of Karin and Wade, in case you've lost them. Karin can come anytime; Wade, up until six in the morning."
      • Then the most unlikely of unlikelies happened. We got another phone call. Another woman wanted to give us a baby—a boy, born just that morning. We walked into a hospital, and he was placed into my arms.

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