| gen. |
not probable or likely to happen (It's pretty unlikely (that) they'll turn up now - it's nearly ten o'clock. • The lack of evidence means that the case is unlikely to go to court. • The government is unlikely to agree to the rebels' demands for independence. • Such unpopular legislation is unlikely to be introduced before the next election. • Let's face it, our team is most unlikely to win. • This film is unlikely to attract large audiences unless it is given a big push in the media.  cambridge.org) ؛an unlikely place, person, or thing is strange and not what you would expect (The birds had nested in some unlikely places. • The quiet village of Brockhampton was an unlikely setting for such a crime. • Anthony eventually tracks him down and the unlikely chums share a drink or two too many. ldoceonline.com) ؛likely to fail (Synonym: unpromising: He was an unlikely candidate for the position. merriam-webster.com) ؛not likely to be true (an unlikely story • That sounds a pretty unlikely story to me! • Waterstone's was an unlikely success story of the 80s Thatcherite boom. • Students invent all sorts of unlikely explanations as to why they can't do their homework. • Ex-journo turned editor, his recent tome Gothic Rock enjoyed the unlikely publishing coup of having no competition. ldoceonline.com) ؛unlikely to do something (But they are unlikely to be able to save more than a dozen or so seats. • A small amount of the drug is unlikely to have any harmful effects. • A large proportion of our researchers are therefore unlikely to make major contributions to the literature of their research area. • It will be gearing up this year, but is unlikely to repeat the 1991 rights issue. ldoceonline.com) ؛holding little prospect of success, unpromising (thefreedictionary.com) |
