Unlikely

Unlikely is an adjective used to describe something that is not expected to happen or to be true. It signals low probability or skepticism about a claim, outcome, or event. In many contexts it also serves as a hedge, softening statements about uncertain situations.

The word is formed with the prefix un- attached to likely. Likely comes from Old English gelīc, meaning “similar” or “like,” and the sense of “probable” developed in Middle English. The negative form unlikely therefore conveys the opposite of “likely” and is used to express doubt or low probability.

Usage and examples: It is unlikely that it will rain tomorrow. The team faced an unlikely victory. The phrase highly unlikely emphasizes a particularly low probability. Unlikely can describe people, plans, or ideas, as in “an unlikely alliance” or “an unlikely explanation.”

Nuance and distinction: Unlikely does not mean impossible; something could still occur, though with low odds. For stating certainty, speakers may choose terms like improbable or doubtful, while impossible or never conveys near-zero probability. In journalism and everyday speech, unlikely is a common, measured way to convey modest skepticism without asserting certainty.

Related terms and collocations: improbable, doubtful, remote, far-fetched, questionable; highly unlikely; unlikely to occur; unlikely to happen.