unlikely

adjective

OPAL W

/ʌnˈlaɪkli/

(comparative unlikelier, superlative unlikeliest)

more unlikely and most unlikely are the usual forms

jump to other results

not likely to happen; not probable
- unlikely to do something The project seemed unlikely to succeed.
- Of course, such an event is very unlikely to happen.
- it is unlikely (that…) It was highly unlikely that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
- It is extremely unlikely that the new owner would want to make people redundant.
- It looks unlikely that prices will fall.
- It's most (= very) unlikely that she'll arrive before seven.
- Problems with the evidence made it unlikely that he would ever be prosecuted.
- In the unlikely event of a problem arising, please contact the hotel manager.
Express Yourself Expressing likelihood
Expressing likelihoodWhen you are talking about possible situations, you can express how likely you think they are:
- It's pretty much inevitable that prices will go up this year.
- I think it's likely to rain this afternoon.
- I’m probably going to be away then.
- I guess there's a fifty per cent chance that they'll say no.
- It's unlikely, but not totally impossible, I suppose.
- They can't possibly/really be serious about buying a boat!
- Let's start without them. They're bound to be late.
Extra Examples
- An economic collapse is inherently unlikely.
- He thought it unlikely that she would refuse.
- an unlikely scenario
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- appear
- be
- look
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
See full entry
[only before noun] not the person, thing or place that you would normally think of or expect
- He seems a most unlikely candidate for the job.
- They have built hotels in the most unlikely places.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- appear
- be
- look
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
See full entry
[only before noun] difficult to believe synonym implausible
- She gave me an unlikely explanation for her behaviour.
opposite likely
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- appear
- be
- look
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
See full entry

单词	unlikely
释义	unlikely adjective OPAL W /ʌnˈlaɪkli/ /ʌnˈlaɪkli/ (comparative unlikelier, superlative unlikeliest) more unlikely and most unlikely are the usual forms jump to other results not likely to happen; not probable unlikely to do something The project seemed unlikely to succeed. Of course, such an event is very unlikely to happen. it is unlikely (that…) It was highly unlikely that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. It is extremely unlikely that the new owner would want to make people redundant. It looks unlikely that prices will fall. It's most (= very) unlikely that she'll arrive before seven. Problems with the evidence made it unlikely that he would ever be prosecuted. In the unlikely event of a problem arising, please contact the hotel manager. Express Yourself Expressing likelihoodExpressing likelihoodWhen you are talking about possible situations, you can express how likely you think they are: It's pretty much inevitable that prices will go up this year. I think it's likely to rain this afternoon. I’m probably going to be away then. I guess there's a fifty per cent chance that they'll say no. It's unlikely, but not totally impossible, I suppose. They can't possibly/really be serious about buying a boat! Let's start without them. They're bound to be late. Extra Examples An economic collapse is inherently unlikely. He thought it unlikely that she would refuse. an unlikely scenario Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1 Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs appear be look … adverb extremely fairly very … See full entry [only before noun] not the person, thing or place that you would normally think of or expect He seems a most unlikely candidate for the job. They have built hotels in the most unlikely places. Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs appear be look … adverb extremely fairly very … See full entry [only before noun] difficult to believe synonym implausible She gave me an unlikely explanation for her behaviour. opposite likely Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs appear be look … adverb extremely fairly very … See full entry
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