| 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) |
