I. “+ adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English unlikli, from un- (I) + likli, adjective, likely — more at likely
1. : not likely : improbable , unbelievable
laughed at the … description of the unlikely animal — C.A.Nicholson
his nomination seemed an unlikely event
2. : not such as to inspire liking : disagreeable , objectionable , unattractive
fractured himself with … too little work and too many unlikely companions — Time
3. : seemingly lacking in any prospect of success : likely to fail : unpromising
a place full of good things, but it looked so unlikely at first glance — Maristan Chapman
discovers poetry in the most unlikely places — C.D.Lewis
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English unlikli, from un- (I) + likli, adverb, likely — more at likely
: in an unlikely manner