Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Unlikely

Un-like′ly

,
Adj.
1.
Not likely; improbable; not to be reasonably expected;
as, an
unlikely
event; the thing you mention is very
unlikely
.
2.
Not holding out a prospect of success; likely to fail; unpromising;
as,
unlikely
means
.
Hooker.
3.
Not such as to inspire liking; unattractive; disagreeable.
[Obs.]
“The unlikely eld of me.”
Chaucer.

Un-like′ly

,
adv.
In an unlikely manner.

Webster 1828 Edition


Unlikely

UNLI'KELY

, a.
1.
Improbably; such as cannot be reasonably expected; as an unlikely event. The thing you mention is very unlikely.
2.
Not promising success. He employs very unlikely means to effect his object.

UNLI'KELY

,
adv.
Improbably.

Definition 2024


unlikely

unlikely

English

Adjective

unlikely (comparative unlikelier or more unlikely, superlative unlikeliest or most unlikely)

  1. Not likely; improbable; not to be reasonably expected.
    It's very unlikely that you'll be able to walk perfectly after being in a cast for six months.
    • 1895, H. G. Wells, The Time Machine Chapter X
      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. Not holding out a prospect of success; likely to fail; unpromising.
    unlikely means

Translations

Adverb

unlikely (comparative more unlikely, superlative most unlikely)

  1. In an improbable manner.

Translations

Noun

unlikely (plural unlikelies)

  1. Something or somebody considered unlikely.
    • 1980, Robert K. Lindsay, Applications of artificial intelligence for organic chemistry
      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.
    • 1996, Laurie R. King, To Play the Fool
      "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."
    • 2001, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marci Shimoff, Chicken soup for the mother's soul 2 (page 166)
      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.

References

  • unlikely in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913