unlikelihood

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ʌnˈlaɪklihʊd/

KK: /ʌnˈlaɪklihʊd/

noun

Definition

The condition or quality of being improbable or not likely to happen.

Example

The unlikelihood of winning the lottery does not stop people from trying.

Conversation

Did you hear about that team's victory last night?

Yeah, it was a huge surprise given the unlikelihood of them winning.

I know, right? Everyone thought they would lose.

Exactly! It just goes to show that anything can happen in sports.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

improbability

unpredictability

doubtfulness

Antonyms

certainty

likelihood

probability

Root Explanation

Unlikelihood → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "likely" (from Old English "liclic", meaning having the quality of). The suffix "-hood" (meaning state or condition) indicates a state of being. Therefore, "unlikelihood" refers to the state of not being likely or probable.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') and 'having the quality of' ('likely') to remember that 'unlikelihood' means the state of not being likely.

Visually Confused Words